The case was meant to sit on Monday to finalise the bail application of nine men - including taxi divers and two Lesotho nationals - but the revelation of a Covid-19 positive case has since delayed the matter. One of the key persons involved in the case is said to have tested positive for the virus, which is reportedly rapidly infecting residents once again.

OFM News understand that the case in which these men face charges of murder, kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) will now sit on Wednesday to finalise the bail application. Once the bail process has been finalised, Magistrate Amos Moos is expected to give a verdict regarding the suspects who want to be let out on R1 000 bail.

ALSO READ: #Wepener9: Additional suspects still at large

OFM News previously reported that all nine suspects have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them. 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 searching for other suspects believed to be involved in the above-mentioned incident. It’s understood that the suspects who are still at large might have crossed the border into the neighbouring country of Lesotho.

The state prosecutor revealed in court that an additional four suspects are still at large. The arrest of the suspects has caused tension in the area of Qibing with residents protesting against the arrests of suspects.

WATCH: #Wepener9: Residents demand more officers to be deployed - VIDEO

Residents accuse the police of failing to perform their duty and lock away suspected criminals around the area, who are allegedly terrorising this small community in the Free State.

Residents told OFM News that there are cases that are yet to be solved by the police, even today. They said an elderly person was attacked and had his teeth taken out, allegedly with pliers. They also say a police officer was shot dead and to date suspects in that matter are yet to be brought to book. The residents have further bemoaned the lack of visible policing.

OFM News