'Beard murder' case postponed

25 March 2013 - 14:15 By Sapa
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Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

A man accused of killing a Muslim man after an argument over the victim’s beard appeared in the High Court in Johannesburg on Monday.

The case against Rudolph Viviers, wearing a grey shirt with white stripes during his brief appearance, was postponed to April 15 with a trial date still to be set.

Viviers was still awaiting the outcome of an application to the Legal Aid Board for financial assistance.

He and another man, Zayne van Tonder, allegedly insulted Muhammad Fayaaz Kazi and his friend Anser Mahmood about their beards at a Chicken Licken outlet in Magaliesburg on August 6, 2012.

An argument and fight ensued. Kazi was severely beaten and died in hospital.

Charges against Van Tonder were later dropped.

Viviers was denied bail by the Krugersdorp Regional Court in February, when the matter was transferred to the High Court.

Magistrate Reginald Dama ruled that Viviers had failed to convince the court it would be in the interests of justice to grant him bail.

He remains in custody in Krugersdorp prison.

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