Two Egyptian nationals appeared in court on Friday after three priests were stabbed to death at a Cullinan, Pretoria, church earlier this month.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says monk Saeed Basonda (37) and priest Samuel Avamarkos (47) are accused of killing three fellow priests in the early hours of March 12.

The two face three counts of murder.

The three Coptic Church monks, Takla Elsmwaeili Ayoub Attia Mossoud Mouss, Marcos Shawkat Nasry Morid Wanas Mina and Marcos Mofed Tawfek Isaac Youstos, were stabbed to death on the church premises.

Their bodies were discovered by a church worker reporting for duty.

“The worker then informed the deacon of the church, and the police were called. After questioning, the two were arrested and remanded in custody.

“The NPA intends to oppose bail in the matter,” says Mahanjana.

According to police, the three deceased were found with stab wounds, while a survivor says he was hit on his hand with an iron rod. He then hid in one of the rooms.

Police said the suspects left the scene without taking any valuable items or property. The motive for the killings is unknown.

The case was postponed to Thursday for bail information.