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Sham accused in court

GRIEF: Church members outside court. 17/03/2009. Pic. Bafana Mahlanga. © Sowetan.
GRIEF: Church members outside court. 17/03/2009. Pic. Bafana Mahlanga. © Sowetan.

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

A handful of Mohlakeng Catholic Church members observed a moment of silence outside the Randfontein magistrate's court where Father Lionel Sham's alleged killer appeared yesterday.

Phillip Velaphi Malgas, 25, is facing a charge of murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

His appearance coincided with Sham's funeral service at the Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King in Doornfontein.

Sham, 67, was found murdered in a veld in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, two weeks ago. He was last seen on the Friday night after he had conducted a wedding at his church in Mohlakeng.

Items missing at his house included his car, a TV set, DVD player, laptop and computer hard-drive. The priest's bedroom was reportedly covered in bloodstains.

Malgas is believed to be one of the young men whom Father Sham had taken care of.

The case was postponed to March 23 for a bail application.

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