Middelburg – The three men accused of assaulting, kidnapping and murdering Thembeni Mnguni and Wanda Mahlangu of Laersdrift, near Stoffberg, went back to custody following their failed attempt to get bail.
The trio appeared for bail judgement at the Middelburg Magistrates Court this afternoon.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Reinhardt Steyn, Chriswell Masilela and Dumisani Luthuli are responsible for the disappearance of Mnguni and Mahlangu whose bodies were found burnt and hidden in a bag that was dumped under the bridge on Vandyksdrift road in Middleburg.
This incident that sent shock waves to the entire province, took place at Elandslaagte farm managed by Steyn following a suspected stealing of sheep allegedly by the victims.
When delivering his judgement, Magistrate Solomon Gololo said the Court is in agreement with the state that the commission of the crimes has induced a sense of shock to the community.
He added that the court has not solely relied on the petition handed in by the State. “The Court also evaluated the State’s case and found to be of such a nature that it outweighs the mere denial that is contained in the affidavits of the applicants,” he said.
The Mahlangu family have welcomed the judgement saying it represents justice. “We think justice has been served so far, and we are happy that they [accused] will stay in prison untill their trial begins,” said May Mahlangu, Thembeni’s uncle.
The case is postponed to the 1st of November 2024 for further investigations.
