Reinhardt Steyn, Chriswell Dumisani Masilela, Dumisani Luthuli, and Stephan Wilson briefly appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

According to the Middelburg Observer, the four face charges of assaulting, kidnapping, and murdering Thembeni Mnguni (29) and Wanda Mahlangu (21) in August. They allegedly also set Mnguni’s car alight.

In October, the court denied the accused bail. Since then, Steyn, Masilela, and Luthuli’s lawyers have appealed the decision in the Middelburg High Court.

Wilson, who missed a previous court appearance earlier this month due to transport issues at the Paxton Correctional Service, was present this time. Wearing a face mask because of a TB outbreak at the correctional centre, Wilson was excluded from the initial bail application as he is serving a 10-month sentence for contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

Magistrate Solomon Gololo postponed the matter to February 24, citing outstanding DNA results. Defence attorney Katlego Dolamo requested the postponement be marked final, supported by other attorneys, but Gololo declined the application.

Video here:

@middelburgobserverThe four men accused of murdering two men in Elandslaagte and dumping their bodies under a bridge will be spending Christmas behind bars. Reinhardt Steyn, Chriswell Dumisani Masilela, Dumisani Luthuli and Stephan Wilson made a brief court appearance today in the Middelburg Magistrates Court.

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver