Suspected cannibals abandon bail

Part two of the most anticipated case in the country at the moment played out on Monday.The five men accused of murder and conspiracy to commit murder appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court.

Nino Mbatha (32), Lindokhule Masondo (32), Sthembiso Sithole (31) Lungisani Magubane (30) and Khayelihle Lamula (32) were arrested after the human remains of a female were found in a house in Rensburgdrift and Loskop.

ALSO READ:BREAKING NEWS: Five human flesh-eating suspects abandon bail application

One of the men told police that human flesh was being consumed. The men made their second court appearance before Magistrate Ms Sookraj at about 9.30am for a bail application.

Concealing their faces with their jackets, they walked out of the holding cells amid absolute silence in the courtroom. They were requested to unblock their faces before proceedings began.

ALSO VIEW: Gallery:’Bring them here,’ say protestors

One of the accused was huddled over and wept uncontrollably. The court was informed by Legal Aid lawyer Ms T Hadebe that a decision had been taken to abandon the bail application.

The five men were remanded in custody until their next appearance on September 28. Meanwhile outside the court, dozens of people protested the bail application.

Some of the residents had marched from Rensburgdrift to the court, while others joined in along the way. Bearing placards saying: ‘No bail, sies’, ‘Wrong turn must fall’ and ‘We are not Nandos’, the protestors harshly condemned the acts the men have been accused of.

ALSO WATCH: VIDEO: Locals protest against the bail application of cannibal suspects

There was widespread relief when they heard news of the bail application being abandoned. Political leaders took the opportunity to address the protestors, calling for swift justice and calm. Police have not confirmed the identity of the female remains that were found.

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