The case of five people accused of the triple murder of the Brand family at Hartswater in the Northern Cape has been postponed to next year in the localMagistrate’sCourt.
Danie,Breggie,andElzabieBrand were attacked, kidnapped, and murdered on their farm in the town in July this year. Their bodies and two cars were found about 30kilometresfrom the farm.
The accused, DonaldSeolesang,Tshepo Visagie, Realeboga Manyedi, Kgomotoso Mpumlwana, and Tshepaone Melato are charged with three counts of murder, kidnapping, and robbery.
Northern Cape National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) Spokesperson MojalefaSenokotsoanesays the case has been postponed to January7.
“The case has been postponed to allow accusedNo.4KgomotsoMpumlwanato be able to appoint a new legal representative,as well as to enable accusedNo. 1,2,3,and5to formally apply for bail. The bail application by accusedNo. 4was earlier denied in court.”
Senokotsoanesaysthe state will be opposing bail.
Meanwhile, the men accused of the murder of farm manager, Brendin Horner, will spend the festive season behind bars following Judgment in their bail application at the Senekal Magistrates Court in the Free State.
Earlier this week,SekwetjeMahlambawas denied bail, while his co-accused,SekolaMatlaletsawas granted R5000 bail. But after his family paid bail,Matlaletsa was re-arrested on another matter, involving rape, kidnap, and stocktheft.
Horner’s murder case made headlines in October after farmers stormed the court building where the two men were appearing.
Free State NPA SpokespersonPhaladiShuping says both accused are facing charges of stock theft.
“SekolaMatlaletsaappeared before the SenekalMagistrate’sCourt after he brought the application to be released on bail. He was denied bail on the charge of stock theft and then he decided toabandonbail on the charges of two counts of rape and two of kidnapping. The case was postponed to 22 January 2021, where he will appear together withSekwetjeMahlambaand they will also face a charge of murder.”
