All suspects, except accused 1, have written and had their founding affidavits read in court during the bail application. They argue that their release will not disturb the public order, disturb peace and undermine public security. A total of 8 suspects have confirmed in court, through their affidavits read by legal counsel, Johnny Fixane, that they are employed as taxi drivers. The stance not to plead guilty is irrespective of the police’s statement saying four of the suspects voluntarily led them to where the body was buried.

The charges were made on 30 November 2021 after the discovery of a decomposed body along the R26 road between Wepener and Hobhouse. The suspects appeared on Tuesday in front of the Wepener Magistrate's Court, however, the police are still on a manhunt for other suspects believed to have assisted in the above-mentioned charges. On Thursday 2 December, the nine suspects made their first appearance in the Wepener Magistrate's Court, but the case was postponed to today, 7 December. The reason for the postponement was to grant the state an opportunity to verify the authenticity and validity of the Lesotho nationals' passports; as among the nine suspects, two are from Lesotho.

READ MORE: #Wepener9's bail application postponed

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