Two men who were part of a gang of five, accused of being involved in the death of a police officer, and also robbing a prosecutor have been denied bail.
Other two that were accused abandoned their bail applications and the charges against a fifth were withdrawn when they all showed up in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
It is alleged that the men were caught red-handed by the police officer during the process of robbing the prosecutor.
The officer reversed his vehicle so as to intervene, but the gunmen rained shots on him.
Unfortunately, the officer died in hospital.
Lumka Mahanjana, Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson said Patrick Amian Samuel, 27, Denalo Dearling, 26, Franklin Lincoln Ray Renaldo Forbsy, 35, Cheslyn Layton Solomons, 25, and Marcel Blaine Ephraim,24, face charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and the possession of firearms and ammunition.
“The accused escaped and were later arrested at different occasions. Samuel and Ephraim were denied bail in court, while Dearling and Solomons abandoned their bail applications. Charges against Renaldo were withdrawn,” said Mahanjana.
The matter was adjourned until 9 September for a High Court date to be secured.
