There have been further calls in Limpopo Province for an urgent investigation into bail conditions for suspects charged with serious offences.

These appeals come after widespread anger about the granting of R5 000 bail for three farm-attack suspects. William Hassim, Peter Maila and Douglas Mokone, who are charged for attempted murder of former Polokwane Town Clerk Attie Vermaak on his farm, were released after the state did not oppose their bail application.

Vermaak is recovering in the Limpopo Medi Clinic in Polokwane. He was shot in the stomach, whilst inspecting water installations on the farm. According to the latest medical bulletin, he is in a stable, though serious, condition.

Organised agriculture, business leaders and the Democratic Alliance have joined Vermaak's family in condemning the court decision. The popular view in the province's capital is that the release of the three suspects has virtually undone the excellent work of the police, in tracking down and arresting the suspects, on the strength of some strong evidence.

There are persistent allegations of political interference in the case. Farmers have pointed out that when teenager Tshepo Matloga was shot near Dendron three years ago, bail application by the suspects in the case were refused outright.

In the mean time, the police are being accused of neglecting to check up on the crime records of the arrested men. Two of the three men arrested was wanted by the police from as far back as 1990.