Suspects accused of murder and rape of pregnant woman and her lover abandon bail bid

Five men accused of the gruesome murder and rape of a pregnant woman and also killing her lover have abandoned their bail application bid.

Bheki Nzama‚ 28‚ Sabata Matoko‚ 30‚ Lindokuhle Thembani‚ 23‚ Thamsanqua Msezane‚ 22‚ and Londani Nzama‚ 22‚ appeared in the Kagiso Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

The group allegedly killed Jeannette Cindi‚ 34‚ and her boyfriend‚ Lungelo Buthelezi on May 1 in Tshepisong on the West Rand.

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Cindi who was five months pregnant was allegedly gang raped before she was killed. Buthelezi was allegedly run over by the men who were driving in a taxi before the couple was taken to an isolated area where they were doused with petrol and set alight.

The group stand accused of murder‚ rape‚ kidnapping and reckless and negligent driving. Through their lawyers on Thursday‚ they complained to magistrate Salome Le Roux that they were assaulted by police officers at Kagiso police station where they were held since their arrests on April 3.

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Prosecutor Minah Mokoakoa dismissed the claims saying if the allegations were true‚ the group should have complained when they first appeared in court on April 5.

Le Roux said she would note the complaints.

Buthelezi's friend Ayanda Sithole‚ 32‚ who witnessed his friend being run over‚ said though he was happy that the suspects had abandoned their bid for bail‚ he still feared for his life. Sithole said he confronted the group after they knocked down Buthelezi.

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"I wanted them to take him to hospital but they wanted to attack me. I then ran to his father's house to inform him about what happened. When we returned to the scene they were all gone‚" he said.

Sithole said he feared for his safety.

"I am still afraid. I don't know if their friends will come and attack me. I miss my friend‚ we were very close. We were always together‚" he said.

The case was postponed to next month.

TMG Digital/Sowetan