The trial of a man accused of the murder of an Eersterust resident, which was due to kick off this week, has been postponed.
Mark Booysen briefly appeared before the North Gauteng high court on Monday, in a combined court case for the alleged murder of Dean Jafta.
The case, however, was postponed to Thursday, said Dean’s father, Denzil.
“He did not have a lawyer present,” he said.
“However, I was assured that the trial would definitely start on Thursday.”
Booysen would also appear in court on a separate murder charge that took place in September 2017.
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On 20 November 2018, Booysen and two other accused appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court where the case was postponed to 24 January.
During their court appearance in January, it was determined that one weapon had been used to commit the two murders.
The case was again postponed to 11 March.
On that date, it was decided that Booysen would stand trial alone for the two murders.
Dean was shot and killed in Johannesburg more than two years ago.
He had been reported missing in May 2017 and his bullet-riddled body was found later in the same month.
However, his family only learned of his murder in November last year as police had been unable to establish his identity.
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Since this discovery, two memorial services have been held in honour of Dean, followed by his funeral on 17 November.
Denzil previously said his son’s body was not only found with six bullet wounds, but he was “badly assaulted” as well.
Jafta was apparently on his way to meet with a friend when he disappeared.
Denzil invited the community to join the family in court for support.
“We hope that justice will be served during this trail,” he said.
“It has been a long wait, but we believe that we will finally get closure.”
Denzil also thanked residents who have supported their family during the search, court proceedings and death of their son.
“We really appreciate it so much,” he said.
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