Four of the five suspects accused of killing the Ermelo police’s Vehicle Theft Unit’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius, abandoned their bail applications in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court today, February 18.

Former policeman Mthobisi Nkosi (40), Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40) and Nyiko Mujovo (30) have all abandoned their bail. They appeared alongside the fifth accused, Valencia Skhosana (36), who confirmed she was going ahead with her bail application.

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They were all remanded in custody. Skhosana’s bail application hearing is scheduled for February 27. The four accused who abandoned their bail applications will return to court on April 10.

Pretorius was killed in Ermelo on January 16 when a man armed with an AK-47 shot him while he was on his way to meet with an informant. He was rushed to Mediclinic Ermelo but died shortly after he arrived there. Pretorius was due to go on pension this year.

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The car that had been used in the crime was found torched a few kilometres from the crime scene, and the suspects were arrested less than 12 hours later after stopping at the Tiger Wheel & Tyre in Mbombela.

“They are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice,” said the provincial Hawks’ spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.

Meanwhile, the head of the Mpumalanga Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, said the postponement would give detectives the chance to gather more evidence in the matter.

He said this would lead to a speedy trial and he reaffirmed the Hawks’ commitment to resolve the case, which he described as watertight.