A former Springbok weightlifter accused of cultivating dagga has been granted bail‚ but was told that he could not see his two children.

Matthews Cosmo‚ who has been in the Krugersdorp Correctional Facility for six weeks‚ appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was granted bail of R7 000 ¬but he cannot pay the full amount.

He was arrested on August 1 after police received a tip-off that he was growing a large number of dagga plants‚ estimated to have been worth R15 000‚ at his Roodepoort West home.

Just before the raid Cosmo tried to flush some of the dagga down the toilet‚ but police found it floating in the bowl. He had also asked his 15-year-old daughter to help him destroy evidence‚ but she was caught in the act.

Cosmo’s wife‚ Vanessa Cosmo (44)‚ was present at his court appearance. The couple are going through a divorce.

Lawyer Hlomani Chabalal said Cosmo had R4 000 but would have to ask other family members to give him the remaining R3 000.

Vanessa Cosmo told the court she does not want their children to stay with their father.

Magistrate Delize Smith said: “I will notify the police and the school that your two children attend to make sure that they keep an eye on you because part of your bail application is that you do not keep in contact with them‚ directly or indirectly.

 “If you try to contact or see your children‚ I will withdraw your bail application‚” added Smith.

Also present at the court were Waldo Botha and Riaan van de Merwe of #DaggaSpringbokMassAction.

Botha‚ a member of Dagga Party of South Africa‚ held up a placard each time Smith spoke. She then ordered Botha to leave the court room.

-TMG Digital