The three suspects accused of the murder of Mbombela anaesthetist, Dr Nicholas Procter, were again remanded in custody when they appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Wednesday.

The court postponed the matter to July 4 to allow the accused’s legal representative time to consult with them.

When Magistrate Greyvenstein asked Bheki Ndlovu (38), Nkateko Tshidzumba (24) and Siyabonga Kekana (20) whether they understood the reason for the postponement, they all confirmed and left the dock.

The trio are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted theft, theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder.

Dr Procter (40) was reported missing after he failed to show up for work at Mediclinic Nelspruit on February 1 last year.

Later that day, Dr Procter’s car was found, followed shortly by the discovery of his body in a vacation rental unit in the Mopani block of Green Valley Estate. His hands and feet were bound.

It took the police four days to arrest the suspects and a fourth suspect is reportedly still at large.

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The court heard that the fourth suspect contacted Dr Procter and had rented a unit at Green Valley Estate, where they planned to meet on the day of the murder.

In refusing bail during the accused’s previous court appearance, the magistrate pointed out that the suspects faced very serious charges and had failed to present exceptional circumstances warranting their release on bail.

The three are awaiting trial at the Nelspruit Correctional Centre in Mbombela.