FOUR suspects arrested in connection with the murder of two Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK Party) members, Bongani Mkhwanazi (32) and Xolani Nzimannde (40), appeared in Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 18 June.
The suspects, Sithembile Magasela, Jackson Mphahlele, Mduduzi Ranyao, and Sipho Xaba, were allegedly assaulted en route to the court.
Their lawyer, Peter Zwane, disclosed during the court session that his clients were attacked inside a police vehicle from Boksburg Correctional Services.
On Tuesday, 18 June, Zwane read the affidavits of his four clients which stated they all intend not to plead guilty to the charges of two counts of murder and assault.
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He argued for separate transportation and detention to ensure their safety.
"My clients fear for their lives following the assault incident that happened on their way to court which happened inside a police truck that transports suspects from Boksburg Correctional Services. We believe this should be prevented before something bad can happen," Zwane said.
The investigating officer who asked the court that he should not be named in the media said arranging a separate transport for the four suspects was impossible.
"I came alone in court without the accompanied of my colleagues and it will not be possible to transport the four accused in separate transport from other inmates who are also attending court," he said.
Magistrate Shakira Timol, after a brief adjournment for consultation, declared that the request for separate transport could not be accommodated at such short notice.
Before the bail application, Timol instructed the media to refrain from taking photos or videos of the suspects, a plea echoed by Zwane.
The plea was brought to court by Zwane, who told the court that his clients should not be photographed and no videos to be taken in court.
Outside the court, Bongani Mkhwanazi's aunt, Buyisiwe Mkhwanazi, expressed her disappointment with the court's decision to shield the suspects' identities.
She recounted the harrowing scene of the crime: "Videos going viral show Mkhwanazi and Nzimande lying on the ground covered in blood after being shot,"
The case was postponed to 19 June, with the investigating officer set to testify against granting bail to the suspects.
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