The Emmanuel Jossias (initially identified as Emmanuel Sithole) murder accused have opted to not apply for bail and will remain in custody until May 13.

Sizwe Ngomezulu‚ Ayanda Sibiya‚ Sifiso Bhengu and Mfundi Mzimela made their second appearance in the Alexandra Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

They were expected to apply for bail‚ but their legal representatives asked the court for a postponement to better prepare the suspects’ defences.

Pictures of the four men, identified as Sifiso Mzimela, Amanda Sibiya, Sizwe Mngomezulu, and Mthinti Bhengu emerged in the Sunday Times newspaper showing them continuously stabbing and beating the now deceased Emmanuel. Possibility of this being a case of xenophobic attack has not been ruled out.

The four have been charged with murder and robbery in a case that has since been described as a botched robbery after it was alleged they attacked Sithole for confronting them after stealing cigarettes from his stall.

The images of the brutal death prompted police – against the background of an uptick in xenophobic violence — to offer a reward of up to R100 000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits.

When President Jacob Zuma listed the names of the those who had lost their lives during the recent spate of attacks of foreign nationals‚ he said “Emmanuel Josias‚ who was identified by the media as Emmanuel Sithole‚ he was killed during a careless robbery in Alexandra township.”

 Zuma said he had used a false name to avoid detection because he was an illegal immigrant.