Centurion double murder accused’s bail hearing set for Wednesday
The charges against Raymond Smith stem from a house robbery that turned violent on the evening of January 27 in the Lyttelton area.
A 36-year-old man accused of a brutal double murder in Centurion is set to appear in court again on Wednesday for a bail hearing.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed that Raymond Smith was remanded in custody following his initial appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on January 29.
“The accused remained in custody for bail investigations.”
Mahanjana also stated that the charges against the accused include two counts of murder, one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and one count of attempted murder.
The charges against Smith stem from a murder incident that occurred on the evening of January 27 in Lyttelton, Centurion.
Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said Smith allegedly posed as a prospective buyer to gain access to homes listed for sale.
He said on the day of the crime, Smith had arranged to meet with the homeowners.
“Once inside, he reportedly executed a robbery plan that turned deadly when the occupants resisted.”
Van Dyk said the accused was armed with a knife and fatally stabbed a man and a woman, both in their 40s, who succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
“A teenager was also injured during the attack.”
He stated that CPF members, a private security firm and SAPS responded swiftly to the scene, where forensic teams were deployed to gather evidence.
A local response team that helped on the scene, CERT-SA, reported that their Pretoria crew found two critically injured victims outside the home, but despite efforts to assist, both died on the scene.
An elderly woman and a teenage boy sustained minor injuries and were treated on-site.
Smith was arrested on January 28 after Lyttelton SAPS Detective Service received critical information about his whereabouts.
Van Dyk said officers initiated an observation operation in the identified area.
Following a meticulously planned takedown, the suspect was apprehended.
A search of his residence led to the recovery of the vehicle used during the crime, a firearm, blood-stained clothing, and stolen property linked to the crime scene.
“All forensic role players were called to the arrest scene to document and collect the recovered evidence,” Van Dyk stated.
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