Posing a danger to society and intimidating witnesses were strong reasons for bail not to be granted, he said.

Although it was in the interests of justice to grant bail, the court also had to look at whether there was a likelihood that the suspect could be a danger to society.

“If one is arrested for attempted murder and while on bail is then arrested for murder, that is a strong indication that it might not be advisable to grant bail,” De Villiers said.

He added, however, that refusing bail was not intended as punishment for an alleged offender.

It served the interests of justice and the rights of a suspect, who was innocent until proved guilty, that he or she could attend his or her trial while being free on bail.