Courtroom passion and drama: Accused share a kiss before dropping bail bid

The five accused facing charges of murdering former Durban man Malcolm Pather who disappeared last month have abandoned their bid for bail.

Stacey Lee Hector, Wade van Reenen, Kyle Francis, Igshaan Abrahams and Courtney Nortjie returned to the dock at the Atlantis Magistrates Court, Cape Town,  yesterday.

The court heard that images of the accused were allowed to be taken before proceedings started.

This was the first time that the court ever had an application brought by the media to have photos taken of an accused.

As they entered the dock Abrahams and Nortjie were seen in a moment of passion.

Meanwhile, Hector and Van Reenen were slightly talking to one another and Francis was seen with his head faced down.

The court heard that the accused are facing Schedule 6 charges of murder in terms of common purpose, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.

This after they allegedly lured killed Pather and burned his body.

The five accused were expected to apply for bail and the State intended to oppose their applications. However they opted to remain in custody.

The court further heard that the case was postponed for further investigation.

Pather disappeared on July 13 and it is alleged that he booked an appointment with "sex worker" Hector in Table View. His phone was turned off after he left his residence in Richwood, Table View.

However, following the search into his whereabouts, police officials said that Pather's body was discovered burned beyond recognition on July 14 in Melkbosstrand at the back of a bakkie that was stolen in Goodwood between 12 July and 13.

The suspect was identified on video footage in possession of Pather’s vehicle, which was later recovered in Mitchells Plain.

Hector, 39, was arrested on July 25 in Table View, while Van Reenen, 39, was arrested on July 28 at the Cape Town Magistrates Court facing drug charges in another matter.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk reports: “A 41-year-old male [Francis] was arrested in Mitchells Plain on Wednesday, 30 July and two others, a female age 29 [Nortje] and male age 33 [Abrahams] in Sea Point on Friday, August 1.”

The court further heard that the investigation was incomplete, as the post-mortem report, chain statements, crime scene photos, further witness statements, toxicology reports were outstanding.

The State added that more suspects and charges were yet to be added.

The accused remain in custody until September 29, while Pather’s funeral was held on August 2 in Chatsworth. 

He is survived by his minor child, as his wife sadly passed away a few years ago.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus