The trio accused of murdering top criminal lawyer, Pete Mihalik, are set to finally go on trial, but only next year, after months of delays.
Sizwe Biyela and Nkosinati Khumalo appeared without the third accused, Vuyile Maliti, at the Western Cape High Court on Friday for their final pre-trial hearing more than two years after their arrest.
The trio were busted shortly after Mihalik, 50, was gunned down while dropping his two children off at their school, Reddam House, in Green Point on 30 October 2018.
The trio face various charges including murder, two counts of attempted murder and the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
During the shooting on Mihalik, a well known lawyer for underworld figures, his eight-year-old son was wounded and hospitalised.
State prosecutor, Greg Wolmarans, revealed that Biyela and Khumalo were being kept in prisons outside Cape Town for their own safety.
“This matter pertains to the murder of a well known legal representative from this part of the world and there may well be people who want to do harm to the accused.
“I know this arrangement is not convenient for defense counsel for consultation purposes.
“For trial we will make special arrangements with Pollsmoor Prison for their safety for all the accused.”
He also revealed that Maliti was already serving a sentence for a separate matter at a prison outside of the province.
The Mihalik murder trial will commence on 17 May 2022.
A visibly upset Biyela was seen flinging his arms in the air when he heard this.