The case of six men arrested in connection with the hijacking and murder of Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs has been postponed to next Thursday.
This is to allow Legal Aid South Africa to process the suspects’ applications for legal representation.
Ndumiso Ndura Moswane, 26, Fernando Nando Sive, 25, Nhlakanipho Dlamini, 21, Franky Xaba, 25, Maredi Mphahlele, 36, and 31-year-old Thembinkosi Hlomikhawu appeared at the Roodepoort magistrate’s court for the second time on Friday.
Car found stripped in Slovoville
They are facing charges of murder (common purpose), robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms, possession of ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice.
The group was arrested in Slovoville, Soweto, over a week ago. Police said Fleurs’ luxury VW Golf 8 GTI was also recovered the same week the suspects were arrested.
At the time of its recovery, the vehicle had already been stripped. Police believe the suspects are part of a syndicate that is responsible for car hijackings across Gauteng, and the search for more suspects continues.
During the court proceedings on Friday, magistrate Delise Smith said the postponement will give legal aid more time to process the suspects’ applications.
Prosecutor Linda Duma did not oppose Smith’s decision.
Outside court after the hearing, family members and friends of the suspects proclaimed their innocence, saying they did not kill anyone or steal any cars.
They are innocent, say families
Xaba’s cousin, Hlekanezitha Mabaso, said he was sitting with all six suspects in Slovoville during the night of the murder.
“We were all sitting together, drinking alcohol. They were not there [Florida] when the murder happened,” said Mabaso.
Mabaso said two days after the murder, Fleurs’ vehicle was spotted in Slovoville idling, unoccupied, and intact.
“The car was just parked there from Friday [April 5] until Sunday [April 7]. The key was even inside the ignition.
“That car was not stripped for three days. It was just sitting there. We thought the owner was around.”
He said last Wednesday, police stormed his house looking for Xaba, and when they could not find him, they ransacked his place looking for a gun.
Hlomikhawu’s wife, Ivy Leeuw, 28, said police stormed her residence looking for her husband last Wednesday.
She explained: “I was sitting with my husband and our friends. The police came to our place and said they were looking for my husband.
“They slapped us, kicked us with boots, and pointed guns at us. They even took my phone and have not returned it.”
During the court proceedings last week, state prosecutor Arnold Limekhaya said the state was opposing bail and requested that the matter be postponed for bail information.
Two armed men shot and killed Fleurs during a hijacking at the Shell gas station in Roodepoort, Florida. He was confronted while waiting to be served.
Followed to the gas station
Police said Fleurs’ murderers, who were driving a white BMW 1 Series, pointed a firearm at him while pulling him out of his vehicle. They then shot him once in the upper body.
One of the suspects drove off with Fleurs’ car, followed by his accomplices.
Police said Fleurs was taken to a medical centre, where he was certified dead on arrival. A case of murder and car hijacking was opened for investigation.
Sunday World reported two weeks ago on how police were able to obtain video footage from the gas station showing Fleurs engaging the armed men in a fierce struggle to prevent them from stealing his car.
The footage shows four people wearing balaclavas and caps and travelling in a white BMW 1 Series following Fleurs as he drove into the petrol station.
At the time, Fleurs was travelling with two passengers, who escaped unharmed.
