Samuel Mabena, 27, Chris Moyo, 25, and Paida Fish, 19, faced charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, said Sergeant Philani Nkwelase.

The case against the three Zimbabweans was postponed until March 15, he said. They would remain in custody.  They allegedly shot and wounded Sanders during a robbery at the Thatch Haven Country Lodge outside Brits, during an armed robbery on September 22, 2012. He died later in hospital.

The police arrested them five days later in Oukasie informal settlement, near Brits, after a tip-off.

Police also recovered a cellphone, car keys, a purse and cash believed to have been stolen during the robbery.

A handbag, also thought to have been stolen in the robbery, was recovered at a second address.

Sanders won the World Boxing Organisation’s heavyweight title in March 2003 by dropping Ukrainian Wladimir Klitsckho in the second round in Hanover, Germany. He retired five years later.