The suspects are charged with murder, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping. This was after a body of a reported missing individual was dug up outside the town - and two people sustained injuries from the assault.

OFM News previously reported the court postponed the matter after all nine suspects had their founding affidavits read in court by their legal representative, Johny Fixane.

ALSO READ: #Wepener9 murder case postponed yet again

The state prosecutor requested Magistrate Amos Moos for a further postponement to have time to prepare before the state's investigators testify in the bail hearing against the nine suspects.

OFM News previously reported that all nine suspects have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them and want the court to release them on bail.

All suspects appealed to Magistrate Moos to release them on bail owing to their varying personal circumstances. The charges were made on 30 November 2021 after the discovery of a decomposed body along the R26 road between Wepener and Hobhouse. The police are still on a manhunt for other suspects believed to be involved.

OFM News