Delmas murder case postponed

Jun 28, 2012 | Sapa | 1 comments

THREE men accused of killing a five-month-old baby and his minder have appeared in the Delmas Magistrate's Court, Mpumalanga police said.

Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Hlathi said the matter was postponed as the third accused, Fernandos Maritse, 27, had yet to consult his legal representative.

They would be back in court on Tuesday next week and the men would remain in police custody.

Maritse, along with Enock Mbele, 44, and Lazarus Mabhena, 54, are accused of strangling 66-year-old Magrietha de Goede and baby Wiehan Botes last month.

De Goede's body was found under a carpet in an outside room and the body of the baby was found under a bed in the main house.

Days after the killing, members of the Afrikaner Volksraad Verkiesing Kommissie (VVK) protested against violence.

The DA condemned posters displayed by the VVK members during the march, which apparently read "Black cowards - leave our women and children alone" and "Steal, rape, murder: We are finished with Black South Africa".

A march was also organised by singer Steve Hofmeyr against violent crimes in the country. Locals and celebrities marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to hand over a memorandum to the presidency.

Last Friday, Delmas residents came together to pray for their community. The mayor of the Victor Khanye Local Municipality said VVK members were not Delmas people.