Pretoria Magistrate Court in South Africa has denied bail to a Malawian woman, Yamikani Chitani, who was arrested along with seven other foreigners for alleged possession of dangerous weapons.

Ms Chitani was arrested three weeks ago after police received a tip-off that the group, which included Bangladesh nationals, possessed explosives and drugs.

Presiding Magistrate Ncube denied Ms Chitani bail when the court found that she is staying in South Africa illegally.

She said granting Ms Chitani bail could be risky because it could be hard to trace her if she absconds.

According to a state prosecutor Ms Chitani’s passport expired in July 2006.

The case has been adjourned to May 2 to allow further investigations.