Meghan Cremer’s alleged killer and one of his co-accused have abandoned their bail application.
It was also revealed at the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday that one of the suspects has a pending case of murder.
Jeremy “Bompies” Sias, 27, Charles Daniels, 34, and Shiraaz Jaftha, 35, made their second appearance in court.
The men are alleged members of the Six Bob gang.
The three are charged with theft of a motor vehicle while Sias has been charged with Meghan’s murder.
Close to 100 women from the organisation SA Women Fight Back, who were all dressed in black, carried out a peaceful protest outside court, displaying placards.
Meghan Cremer went missing and her body was found on August 8. Picture supplied
A petition for bail to be denied has already garnered over 62 000 signatures.
Inside court Sias and his co-accused looked haggard and vuil, while Jaftha had a bandage around one of his hands.
The courtroom was packed with the protesting women while about ten cops kept a close eye on the proceedings.
The men’s criminal records were presented before court, revealing Sias had a pending case of theft of a motor vehicle, and a previous conviction for assault.
Daniels also had a pending theft case and a previous conviction of drugs.
Shockwaves went through the court when the State revealed Jaftha had a previous conviction of drugs and a pending case of murder.
Details of the murder case were not revealed in court.
Protesters outside court. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Earlier, police sources revealed the men’s alleged modus operandi was to steal and hijack cars.
The accused indicated they would all be applying for a Legal Aid lawyer.
Sias and Daniels told Magistrate Keith Le Keur that they would be abandoning their bail application.
Jaftha will be applying for bail on 11 September, while Sias and Daniels are expected to appear on 16 October.
As the men exited the courtroom, Jaftha called out to his family to arrange for an attorney.
Outside court, Robyn Gwilt of SA Women Fight Back, said they want justice for all female victims of violence: “They were arrested in the past for murder and various crimes and they were given bail and the perpetrator was allowed (by the courts) to do this (allegedly kill Meghan).
“Last week it was Meghan, tomorrow, it could be me or you.”
Robyn Gwilt of SA Women Fight Back. Video: Genevieve Serra
Meghan went missing on 3 August from her home on Rietvlei farm, and her body was found on 8 August in a sand mine in Philippi after Sias allegedly confessed.
Meghan, 30, had been strangled to death and a rope was found around her neck.
The trio were arrested after they were found with Meghan’s stolen Toyota Auris.
Family friend, Linda Mohr, said Sias had worked as a labourer on their farm and was known to Meghan.