De Lange says Sharma’s legal counsel failed to prove that his release on bail would be in the interest of justice. Furthermore, De Lange is not convinced that the former Deputy Director-General at the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) and Transnet board member will not flee the country, pending the finalisation of his case. The bail denial has come as a surprise after De Lange granted Sharma’s co-accused, Peter Thabethe, Sylvia Dlamini, and Limakatso Moorosi R 10 000 bail each, on Thursday and Monday respectively.

The case is postponed to 5 July. This is a developing story.

OFM News