Update
GEORGE NEWS - The seven men accused of the 2022 murder of Denzil Fortuin (42) of Pacaltsdorp appeared in the George Regional Court on Monday 1 June for the confirmation of a trial date.
The matter was postponed to 21 September after one of the accused had appointed a new legal representative.
They are all expected to appear in court again on that date, when their trial is scheduled to start.
The accused have remained in custody despite several bail applications since their arrest, some as recent as March this year. Only one was granted bail.
Wele Tom, Simphiwe Harmans, Kuzokuhle Dyandyi, Sibongile Maseti, Darryl Johnson, Thulani Maseti and Ayakha Maseti had allegedly been travelling in two vehicles, a silver and a black BMW, on Sunday 4 December 2022.
They allegedly stopped at a house on the corner of Houtkapper and Protea streets in Andersonville, Pacaltsdorp.
According to some residents, two men, Fortuin and another young man, had been brutally assaulted by their attackers, who repeatedly attempted to force them into the boots of the two BMWs.
However, the men managed to escape. Several shots were fired.
Fortuin sustained bullet wounds to his body and head, and later died in the hospital. The young man was taken to hospital too, and was later discharged.
The accused face charges of murder, kidnapping and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.
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