The four farmers arrested in connection with the murder of two brothers in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga, were remanded in custody by the Piet Retief magistrate's court yesterday.
Daniel Malan, 38, Cornelius Greyling, 26, Othard Clingberg,
58, and Michael Sternberg, 31, were arrested on Friday at Pampoenkraal Farm at
Dirkieskop.
They are accused for fatally shooting the Coka brothers –
Mgcini, 36, and Zenzele, 40, – when the siblings were apparently trying to
break-up a scuffle between the farmers and job-seekers.
Security was tight outside the court as community members,
EEF and ANC supporters picketed outside the court, demanding that the accused
must not be granted bail. The protesters
were holding placards which read, “no bail” and
“racism exists”.
Police used barbed wires to secure the court building and
closed off the Kerk and Kruger streets leading to the courthouse.
State prosecutor Sidwell Shingange said the accused are
facing two charges of murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily
harm, while one suspect faces an additional charge of defeating the ends of
justice.
“The state objects to the bail of the accused. Firstly,
this is for their safety and for public safety. Again, this is a schedule six
offense and the state also needs to continue with investigations which include
ballistics of the firearm of the accused,” Shingange told the court.
He asked magistrate Phindile Mlotshwa to postpone the bail
application for seven days to allow police investigations t continue, saying
there was a possibility that there could be more charges brought against the
accused.
Mlotshwa granted the state's request, postponing the bail
application to April 19. Acting
secretary of the ANC in the province Lindiwe Ntshalintshali told protesters
that they were happy that the accused would spend seven days in custody before
they apply for bail.
Chairperson of the EFF in Mpumalanga Collen Sedibe also
raised the party's satisfaction about the first day outcome of the court
appearance.
The Coka family said the brothers were not part of the
group that went to the farm to seek employment, but were trying to break up a
fight when they were gunned down.
Mgcini’s sister-in-law Petty Ndlovu said her brother-in-law
had planned to travel with his fiancée to meet his ailing mother for the first
time on Tuesday. She said her sister,
who is seven months pregnant, was devastated.
The Coka brothers will be buried on Saturday in Piet
Retief. Sowetan
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