The five accused of little Bontle Mashiyane’s murder have been remanded in custody for over five months. Their appearances in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court have been interspersed with a string of postponements, leading to the recent postponement to September 29 for further hearing in their bail application trial.

On Monday September 5, all the accused, Ntombikayise Ngwenya, Collen Hlongwane, Thapelo Ngomane, Samuel “Mangebeletane” Tsela and his son, Philasande Tsela, appeared in court for the continuation of bail hearing that had begun on August 11.

The trial continued on Thursday September 1, but was postponed to this Monday due to the unavailability of legal representatives for accused number two and three, respectively.

All the accused have been remanded in custody pending the outcome of their bail hearing.

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

Bontle’s body was found mutilated near her home in Mganduzweni outside White River 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 body.

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