By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The case of six men arrested in connection with the hijacking and murder of Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs has been postponed.
The suspects appeared briefly at the Roodepoort Magistrates Court today and their matter was postponed for legal representation.
Ndumiso Moswane, Fernando Sive, Nhlakanipo Dlamini, Franky Xaba, Maredi Mphahlele and Thembinkosi Hlomikhawu are charged with murder, robbery under aggravating circumstances, possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of unlicensed ammunition and defeating the ends of justice.
The 24-year-old Chiefs defender and South Africa U-23 international player was hijacked and shot dead at a petrol station in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.
Two weeks ago, the police revealed that they were able to obtain video footage from the petrol station where Fleurs is seen fighting the armed accused trying to prevent them from taking his car.
The footage shows four people wearing balaclavas and caps travelling in a white BMW 1 Series following Fleurs as he drove into the petrol station.
The matter was postponed to 25 April to finalise legal representation for the six and for lawyers to familiarise themselves with the matter.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says “The appetite is there to oppose their release on bail”.
She said investigations were ongoing, while state prosecutor Arnold Limekhaya told the court they still needed to get bail information, the profile of the accused and the bail statements from the investigating officers.
Fleurs’s family were not present in court and it is believed that they are preparing for his funeral which will be held tomorrow in Tafelsig, Cape Town.