The six men accused of murdering Tongaat teen Andile “Bobo” Mbuthu have been denied bail.

Mlungisi Thabathe, 28, Andile Nhleko, 27, Mncedisi Mzobe, 27, Siyanda Msweli, 26, Lindani Ndlovu, 22, Malusi Mthembu 27 appeared in the Verulam magistrate's court on Wednesday.

A seventh accused, a minor, had appeared previously and abandoned his bail application.

The men were arrested after Mbuthu disappeared after he was assaulted for allegedly stealing alcohol from a tavern in Hambanathi in Tongaat, north of Durban.

After the incident, the tavern was burnt down allegedly by community members calling for justice.

Mbuthu's remains were later found in a river in Tongaat.

Magistrate Loshni Badal said granting the men bail would not be in the interest of justice and that the tavern being burnt was a clear indication that their lives would be in danger if they were released.

The men were remanded to Westville Prison and the matter will be back in court on August 17.

-TimesLIVE