A national committee, including representatives from the SA Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority and the department of justice, under the auspices of the Office for the Criminal Justice System Reform, had been established to monitor such cases.

This was "in relation to the fast tracking of all investigations and trials pertaining to serious criminal matters (especially offences where violence or intimidation or threats in that regard have been used) arising from the 2009 elections", it said in a statement.

"Where deemed appropriate, applications for bail will be strenuously opposed in such matters, if it could lead to heightened tension or escalation of violence the area in question," the ministry said.