Russel Morena

Russel Morena

A Johannesburg Central police inspector, who is facing theft, fraud and corruption charges, was granted R5000 bail on Friday after spending 44 days in custody.

Inspector Tello Jonas Mota, 39, briefly appeared in the Johannesburg magistrate's court for a second bail application.

The state did not oppose his bail application this time after having done so during an earlier bail application hearing on January 29.

Investigating officer Superintendent Gregory Beck said they did not have enough grounds to oppose the bail.

He also pointed out that the accused was already out on R2000 bail in another case before he was rearrested.

Mota was rearrested on January 24 for contempt of court after he failed to appear in court to face charges of corruption, theft, fraud, extortion and defeating the ends of justice.

He is expected to appear on March 14 for his trial.

He is also facing separate charge of corruption with his co-accused, police inspector Sean Thwala, 40, of the Booysens police.

A key witness in one of the cases, Lindiwe Mthembu, 37, was shot dead at her Johannesburg flat two months ago.

Another witness was allegedly threatened and warned not to testify against the two policemen.

The state alleges that in 2006 Mota was part of a task team investigating a man suspected of illegally occupying residential buildings in Johannesburg and renting them out.

While the man was in custody Mota allegedly tried to get a R5000 bribe from his wife.

Mota is alleged to have said: "Money talks. I can make things disappear."