Wearing a red hoodie, a gaunt-looking Shakoor Roberts, 25, stepped into the dock at the Mitchells Plain Magistrate's Court, where he is facing a charge of murdering his mother, Gafsa Roberts, 60.
Roberts was arrested at his home in Winterhoek Street, Tafelsig, on 16 August.
His arrest came a week after he failed to appear at court on 8 August.
Apparently, a subpoena was incorrectly filled out, and Roberts did not materialise.
On Friday, State Prosecutor Darren Johnson informed Roberts that his matter would no longer be heard at the Magistrates’ Court but would be moved to the Regional Court, where he is to appear again on 3 October.
Reasons for the swift move was not revealed.
Roberts is set to represent himself during proceedings.
COURT APPEARANCE: Shakoor Roberts, 25
Outside court, Gafsa’s brothers, Rashaad Fataar, 66, and Saban Galant, 63, who travelled all the way from De Aar to be present, said they were satisfied with proceedings so far.
Rushana Adams, 36, who has been fighting for justice for her mom for two years, said seeing her brother in the dock brought back painful memories.
“I am happy it has been moved to the Regional Court, “ said Rushana.
Gafsa’s badly decomposed body was discovered by a neighbour in March 2015, after she went missing. Family members could only identify her by her toes and her hair.
It’s believed Gafsa was beaten to death but a cause of death was never established.
Roberts was initially arrested but was released due to a lack of evidence.
Family members say Roberts is a Satanist and his mother feared him.