3 Men Accused in Phoenix Killings Abandon Bail, Case Postponed to September
- Three men linked to last month's killings in Phoenix north of Durban opted to abandon their bail application in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court
- The case was postponed to 15 September for further investigations while the trio faces a charge relating to murder and three of attempted murder
- Law enforcement officials and the Presidency confirmed that over 300 people lost their lives during the unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal
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Three men linked to the murders in Phoenix last month on Thursday abandoned their bail application in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal.
The case involving the accused, Dylan and Ned Govender as well as Jeetendra Jaikissoon, was postponed to 15 September for further investigations, per a report by SABC News.
Source: Twitter
Briefly News understands the trio faces a charge relating to murder and three of attempted murder. This follows the spate of violence that swept through the community of Phoenix, north of Durban, amid the unrest in KZN last month.
More than 300 dead following unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal
Since then, law enforcement officials and the Presidency confirmed that over 300 people lost their lives during the chaotic events, including in Gauteng, where the violence spread after moving from KZN.
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SowetanLIVE reported that provincial spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Natasha Kara, confirmed that the accused notified the court, via their legal representative Carl Van Der Merwe, of their decision not to pursue bail.
It was reported that in the last appearance, however, their previous legal counsel withdrew from the case for what they described as ethical reasons. The trio will remain in custody while awaiting their scheduled appearance next month.
Police Minister Bheki Cele confirms arrests continue to be made
On Sunday, Police Minister Bheki Cele indicated that the number of people who have been arrested in connection with the killings in Phoenix has increased to 31. Cele said police expect the figure to grow with the arrests of more suspects in due course.
"We expect the figure to grow. When it comes to [the alleged] instigators, they have remained at 12, but it does not end there as there are many more who have been identified and police are still identifying more people," proclaimed Cele.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, IFP open SAPS case against publisher of 'fake video'
In related news, Briefly News recently reported that Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Pince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and his party have taken steps against the Facebook user who created and distributed a 'fake video' of the politician.
Three weeks ago, Buthelezi lambasted the originator of the video that appeared to show him condoning the spate of violence that has shone the spotlight on Phoenix.
At the time, the elderly politician said the material was a "malicious" design aimed at, among other things, discrediting him after it gained huge traction on social media.
In a recent exclusive interview with Briefly News, Member of Parliament and Prince Buthelezi’s media officer, Liezl van der Merwe, provided an update on the criminal and legal steps that have been taken against the individual, 'Comrade M'sirny Mngadi'.
Source: Briefly News
