The case of the six suspects arrested in connection with the hijacking and murder of Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs returns to the Roodepoort magistrate’s court today. They are expected to make a formal bail application.
The six suspects made their first court appearance at the same court last Friday.
Ndumiso Ndura Moswane (26), Fernando Nando Sive (25), Nhlakanipho Dlamini (21), Franky Xaba (25), Maredi Mphahlele (36), and Thembinkosi Hlanikhawu (31) are facing charges of murder (common purpose), robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of firearms, possession of ammunition and defeating the ends of justice.
The men were arrested in Slovoville, Soweto, in the early hours of last week Wednesday.
Police said Fleurs’ luxury red VW Golf 8 GTI vehicle was recovered last week Monday. The vehicle was already stripped of its parts.
Part of a hijacking syndicate in Gauteng
Police said they believe the six suspects are part of a syndicate that is responsible for car hijackings in Gauteng.
The search for more suspects is continuing.
During court proceedings last week, state prosecutor Arnold Limekhaya said the state is opposing bail. He requested that the matter be postponed to April 19. This was to get the bail information regarding the six suspects.
The six suspects told magistrate Anneline Africa that they want to be represented by legal aid. They also said that they want to bring a formal bail application.
Africa postponed the matter to Friday, April 19. This was for the legal aid applications of the accused to be processed and for their formal bail application.
Africa said the suspects are remanded in custody until their next court appearance. Fleurs’ funeral will be on Saturday, April 20 in Cape Town.
Survived by parents, two siblings
The defender is survived by his father Theodore, mother Simone, elder brother Joshua, and sister Sydni.
Fleurs was shot and killed by two armed men during a hijacking. This happened at the Shell petrol station at the Constantia service centre in Florida, Roodepoort, Johannesburg. The incident happened two weeks ago, on April 3.
Police said the incident happened around 8:30pm on the corner of Hendrik Potgieter and 14th Avenue. According to police, Fleurs drove a red VW Golf 8 GTI into the petrol station. While waiting to be served by the petrol attendant, he was confronted by two armed males. The men had come driving a white BMW 1 Series.
The suspects pointed a firearm at him and took him out of his vehicle. They then shot him once on the upper body. One suspect drove off with Fleurs’ car, followed by his accomplices.
Police said Fleurs was taken to the nearest medical care centre, where he was certified dead on arrival.
Tragic incident caught on camera
A case of murder and car hijacking was opened for investigation. Two weeks ago, Sunday World exclusively reported how the video footage obtained by police from the petrol station depicts Fleurs engaging in a fierce battle with the two armed men to stop them from stealing his luxurious red VW Golf 8 GTI.
But it was all in vain, as they fatally shot him at close range in the upper body. The footage shows four people travelling in a white BMW 1 Series following Fleurs as he drove into the petrol station.
The four were wearing balaclavas and caps. Fleurs was with two other passengers when the murder happened. The two passengers escaped unharmed.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed the incident. She said Fleurs was at a filling station with three of his friends when he was allegedly approached by two males. The males had alighted from a BMW, armed with firearms. Fleur’s friends were inside the shop at the filling station.
“They removed Fleurs and another occupant from his vehicle and immediately occupied the vehicle. As they were driving off, Fleurs tried to grab the door, and one of the alleged hijackers then fired at him,” said Mjonondwane.
Star had just joined Chiefs
Fleurs joined Kaizer Chiefs in October last year after previously playing for SuperSport United.
After weeks of training with the Amakhosi, Fleurs penned a two-year deal with an option to renew it at the end of his contract with the Phefeni Glamour Boys.
Fleurs’ memorial service was held at FNB Stadium outside Soweto last week. Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior announced that the club took a decision to retire Fleurs’ jersey number 26 shirt in his honour.
