A 40-year-old suspect accused of attempting to kill a homeless man has had his case postponed to 30 July for further investigations
Malusi Mothupi made his second appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, said National Prosecution Authority spokesperson Phindi Louw-Mjonondwane.
He faces a charge of attempted murder.
He is said to have been arrested following a string of murders in Muckleneuk and Sunnyside.
Five bodies of homeless men were found over a period of three weeks, fueling speculation that a serial killer was on the loose.
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Mothupi was previously arrested and released from police custody.
Mjonondwane said his case could not be put on the court roll then as he had been under arrest for longer than 48 hours without being charged.
“According to the law an accused person must appear before court within 48 hours of being arrested. This is to afford the accused a fair judicial process.”
Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela said Mothupi was arrested following “police investigations”.
The identities of three of the five dead men have since been confirmed by investigators.
Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said police could not divulge the ages or names of the identified men until their families had been informed.
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“A statement will be issued soon on the names,” he said.
The victims were all male, middle-aged, homeless and killed at night.
Most of the victims sustained blunt force trauma to the head and stab wounds to the upper body.
A team of specialists from forensic services, including pathologists and criminal psychologists, crime intelligence, and detectives, have been tasked to investigate the cases.
Anyone with information can contact their nearest police station or call the crime stop number 08600-10111.
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