One of the men suspected of the murder of Malmesbury resident Riaan Syster has turned state witness.
Protesters and supporters again came in their numbers on Friday where one of the accused, Maxwell van Wyk, 24, appeared for his bail application at the Malmesbury Magistrates’ Court. His bail was denied.
According to a family member, who declined to be named, the information regarding the case is handled with extreme confidentiality since Cheslin Pedro, 22, turned state witness.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed: "Accused number two (Pedro) turned state witness and his bail application was approved on Wednesday, 5 May.
"Accused number one is expected to appear in the Malmesbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 14 May where he will appeal his bail application outcome," Van Wyk added.
According to a source, the two accused have turned on each other, blaming the other.
“They’ve also appointed their own lawyers. But Pedro was very honest and spoke the truth from the start.”
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed that Maxwell Van Wyk is still in detention and will appear again on Friday 14 May in the Malmesbury Magistrates Court for his formal bail hearing.
“The matter for accused number one was postponed till this coming Friday, the 14th of May, for judgement in the bail application. The case against accused number two has been withdrawn,” says Ntabazalila.
Riaan, aka Bruggies, was bludgeoned with a baksteen and stabbed 12 times on Saturday, 26 April.
His body was found by his father on their stoep where his killers dumped him.
The motive for the murder is not yet clear.
On Friday, relatives and friends held a drive-by wreath-laying ceremony at his parents’ house.
Riaan was laid to rest on Saturday at Malmesbury Cemetery.
His sister Rinene says: “We as a family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for their support in this time, as well as to the police officials for the progress made with the case.”
Riaan’s eight-year-old daughter, Gianna Oosedors, also attended her father’s funeral.