The five standing accused of the gruesome killing of little Bontle Mashiyane appeared in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court yesterday August 2.

The case was once again postponed to Thursday August 11, when Collen Hlongwane, Ntombikayise Ngwenya, Thapelo Ngomane, Samuel (Mangebeletane) Tsela and his son Philasande Tsela will appear for a formal bail hearing.

The accused have been charged with kidnapping, rape, murder and dealing with human tissue. They have been remanded in custody.

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The six-year-old Bontle’s body was found mutilated near her home in Mganduzweni in May after she was reported missing at the end of April. The extensive investigation by the Mpumalanga police led to the arrest of the accused soon after the discovery of the little girl.

It is alleged that the girl was last seen with Hlongwane, who is an ex-convict.

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Hlongwane, Ngwenya and Ngomane were the first to be arrested and charged. Tsela and his son were linked to Bontle’s murder as police continued with the investigation.