North estate murder accused denied bail
"It is alleged a message was sent in the 'whites only' WhatsApp group, referring to black residents as pigs."
Residential estate murder accused Leon Lourens Coetzee (54) was denied bail during his second appearance in the Pretoria North magistrate’s court on Friday afternoon.
He has been charged with the murder of Themba Thabethe who died in hospital last weekend.
“It is alleged that Thabethe and Coetzee stayed in the same complex and belonged to a WhatsApp group that was created for all residents of the complex “
However, a second WhatsApp group was created with white residents only,” National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said.
ALSO READ : Mountain range attackers court case continues on Friday “It is alleged a message was sent in the ‘whites only WhatsApp group’, referring to black residents as pigs and that Thabethe was corrupt.”
Mahanjana explained the message was reportedly leaked and caught the attention of Thabethe.
“On 26 April, Thabethe who was from work, stood at the gate of the accused’s property and confronted his wife about the message.
“It is alleged that Coetzee came out of the house with a knife and stabbed Thabethe,” she said.
ALSO READ : Intense car chase results in two nabbed in the north Security personnel at the complex was said to have rushed Thabethe to hospital, but he later died.
Coetzee was expected to return to court on 20 July.
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