Malcolm Pather murder-accused eyes bail

THE second accused in the Malcolm Pather murder case has changed his decision to apply for bail after he initially abandoned his bid for bail.

Stacey Lee Hector, Wade van Reenen, Kyle Francis, Igshaan Abrahams, Courtney Nortjie, Paul Solomons and Zainodien Greef returned to the dock at the Atlantis Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Attorney Bruce Hendricks, representing Van Reenen, intends to bring a bail application for his client, who also faces drug charges in another case being heard at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court.

The court previously heard that Solomons planned to apply for bail, however his bail application was abandoned as his parole was revoked and now has to serve out his sentence.

All the other accused had previously abandoned their bid for bail.

The accused are facing Schedule 6 charges of murder in terms of common purpose, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice and now an added charge of theft of a motor vehicle.

This after they allegedly kidnapped Pather, 41, from Durban, after he disappeared on 13 July and it is alleged that he booked an appointment with "sex worker" Hector in Table View. 

His phone was turned off after he left his residence in Richwood, Table View.

However, following the search into his whereabouts, police officials said that Pather's hands were tied behind his back and his body was discovered burned beyond recognition on 14 July in Melkbosstrand at the back of a bakkie that was stolen in Goodwood between 12 and 13 July.

According to Daily Voice sources, the bakkie was burned twice and evidence found at the crime scene led to a potential suspect.

The suspect was identified on video footage in possession of Pather’s vehicle, which was later recovered in Mitchells Plain.

The court heard that DNA and other items are outstanding and the case was postponed to 26 November for further investigation.