Senekal man arrested during fiery protest is released on R15,000 bail

After being denied bail in the Senekal magistrate’s court last week, André Pienaar approached the Bloemfontein high court, which on Monday allowed him to be released on bail.

Andre Pienaar was denied bail in the Senekal magistrate's court. He appealed the ruling in the high court in Bloemfontein and was granted bail of R15,000.
Andre Pienaar was denied bail in the Senekal magistrate's court. He appealed the ruling in the high court in Bloemfontein and was granted bail of R15,000. (Alon Skuy)

André Pienaar, the man arrested for his alleged role in a fiery protest in the Free State, has been released on bail.

Pienaar was denied bail in the Senekal magistrate’s court last week. He then approached the Bloemfontein high court to appeal that decision.

The higher court granted his appeal, and allowed him to be released on R15,000 bail.

Pienaar's case was postponed to November 20, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Free State spokesperson Phaladi Shuping.

Pienaar was initially charged with malicious damage to property and public violence, but the court heard last week that he faced two additional charges — attempted murder and terrorism.

He now faces charges of incitement to commit violence, public violence and attempted murder.

TimesLIVE has asked Pienaar's lawyer for comment.

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