Four men accused of killing two Cape Town cops appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
In the first case, three suspects were arrested for allegedly killing Kraaifontein police officer Constable Mziwonke Siwisa earlier this month.
Xolani Ndesi, Athi Mdluli and Jackson Lubabalo Mhobo were nabbed in Bloekombos, Kraaifontein, last Wednesday in a joint operation by the Hawks and the police.
Siwisa, 25, was shot and killed in Wallacedene while on his way to work at the Sea Border Unit in Table Bay harbour.
His service pistol was stolen during the attack.
Police say the three accused, all in their early twenties, face charges of murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and armed robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The three opted for a Legal Aid lawyer, but was told a representative would only be available tomorrow.
Magistrate Vincent Ketye postponed the matter to December 21, and the three were remanded in custody.
Meanwhile, also at Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court yesterday, bail was denied for fruit vendor Christopher Jantjies, 27, accused murdering Metro Police official Ben Koopman.
Koopman was ambushed in February while walking to his official vehicle parked outside his home in Avon Park, Eerste River.
He was killed and his service pistol and two-way radio were stolen.
Jantjies claimed he was with friends the day Koopman was killed.
He also had four previous convictions – one for theft, two for possession of drugs and one for possession of an unlicensed firearm – as well as a pending case of assault with grievous bodily harm.
The case was postponed to February 24 for proceedings to continue.