The case was postponed to August 19 for formal bail application.

Prosecutor Verushka Vallabh said the state will be opposing bail.

“At this stage bail is opposed. Attached to the charge sheet is a request that the accused be kept at Germiston police cells and not taken to Sun City prison due to the fact that the accused have agreed to assist with the investigations,” she said.

Two other suspects accused of torching the home affairs building will appear in the same court on charges of arson.

Speaking outside the torched home affairs building on Tuesday, provincial manager Mamokubung Moroke said people’s documents were safe and the department was deploying mobile units to helps clients.

“The first floor of the leased building is totally damaged, while the ground floor, where clients are assisted, suffered severe water damage. All we are certain of is that people’s IDs and passports are in safe storage,” she said.