THE late Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs' murder accused appeared briefly in the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on Thursday, 2 May.
Their case was postponed to Tuesday, 7 May, for investigating officer Nare Moloto to clarify some of the accused's statements.
This came after their statements were read in court regarding their matter and how they were caught by the investigating officer in different hiding areas.
On Thursday, 25 April, the six accused, Ndumiso Ndura Moswane (26), Fernando Nando Sive (25), Nhlakanipho Dlamini (21), Franky Xaba (25), Maredi Mphahlele (36), and Thembinkosi Hlanikhawu (31), were remanded in custody as the court wanted to look at certain aspects in their statements.
This follows their Legal Aid lawyers, Ingrid Mainule and Moshibudi Molefi, reading out their affidavits before the court.
On Friday, 19 April, they were remanded in custody after their Legal Aid representatives were not present during their second appearance. They were all arrested in connection with Fleurs' murder.
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They are all charged with murder with common purpose, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and defeating the ends of justice.
During the court proceedings, state prosecutor Paseka Temeki said all the accused in Slovoville, Soweto, as he read their affidavits to Magistrate Delise Smith.
This is where the car of the dead Fleurs was found parked and stripped in a house where the accused had asked the landlord or owner to park it.
It's alleged that they promised to give him some share after they sold the parts.
"They are all unemployed, and some stay with their girlfriends while others with their parents. Some of them have previous robbery cases," he said.
Temeki said after they took the car to Slovoville, they asked someone to park it in the yard and promised to compensate him.
"Tracker signal was lost around Roodepoort. An informant said that the deceased was seen driving a red Polo GT. The accused were searched and found in their hiding places. The informants don't want to be named as they fear for their lives," Temeki said.
The court also found that the second accused, Fernando Siva, is currently residing in South Africa unlawfully as his temporary permit expired in 2020.
Fernando is from Mozambique, residing at Slovoville in Soweto with his dad. Thubelihle Moswane, Ndumiso's brother, stated him. He said his little brother only comes to their home to eat and change clothes after the prosecutor asked him if he was with them during the time police wanted him.
"Yes, he only comes when he changes clothes. I wasn't home when the police wanted him during the time of their arrests," he said.
On the other hand, Princess Dlamini told the court that she had been warning her son, Nhlakanipho about his friends. She claimed that they're always involved in criminal activities.
"Yes, I wanted to raise a hand on him as I've been telling him to change his ways. He never listened to me, so look at him now," she said.
NPA regional spokeswoman Phindi Mjonodwane briefed the media after court, saying: "The investigation is still ongoing, as you can see. We are still waiting for the investigating officer to share more details in this case as the state."
Fleurs was killed during an alleged hijacking at a petrol station in Florida, Joburg, on Wednesday, 3 April.
Gauteng police arrested the six suspects on Wednesday, 10 April.
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Skeem Saam actress Amanda Manku’s father and his co-accused in court
In other news, Skeem Saam actress Amanda Manku’s father and his co-accused appeared in the Magatle Magistrates Court on Thursday, 2 May.
Their matter was postponed to 6 June for further investigations on the gun that was used to commit the murder.
William Manku (53) and David Khoza were arrested in January for the murder of his wife Gladys Manku and mother-in-law, Letty Maphothoma.
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Two suspects in the AKA and Tibz murder case, who are also polygamous, expressed their longing for their wives.
During their bail application on Thursday, 2 May, Lindani Ndimande (accused number two) and Mziwethemba Gwabeni (accused number four) shared that a crucial reason for their bail request is their responsibility towards their wives and children.
Both men have two wives each and are involved in the taxi business. Legal representatives for all five accused argued for bail, stating their clients are not flight risks.
Advocate Joe Wolmarans, representing Ndimande, highlighted his client's family responsibilities and business interests, asserting that despite potential threats to his life from other taxi bosses or family members, Ndimande would be safe if released.
Ndimande has been in custody since October 2023, which Wolmarans emphasized as a significant period.
Advocate Paul Jorgensen, representing Gwabeni, argued for his client's release, noting his voluntary surrender to the police and the lack of necessity to attach bank statements to his affidavit.
Jorgensen pointed out that the R800 000 received by Gwabeni, allegedly for a hit ordered by Mfunda Gcaba, does not directly implicate him in the murders, as Gcaba remains unarrested.
Magistrate Vincent Hlatshwayo inquired about the rapid transfer of R800 000 by Gwabeni to a co-accused the day after AKA and Tibz's murder, to which Jorgensen replied it was part of Gwabeni's business operations.
The hearing was postponed to Friday, 3 May, for the State to present its arguments.
