Northcliff family murder case postponed

Five men arrested in connection with the murder and house robbery of a Northcliff family appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Lesley Mokgadi‚ 35‚ Robert Maluleke‚ 28‚ Japan Malatjie‚ 28‚ Lechani Mlambo‚ 28‚ and Lucky Ligege‚ 36‚ appeared briefly.

They face murder‚ kidnapping‚ theft and house robbery charges.

Their case was postponed for Mokgadi‚ Maluleke and Malatjie to get legal representatives and for Mlambo and Ligege's formal bail application.

Greg‚ 57‚ Melanie‚ 51‚ and Rakiel Naidoo‚ 23‚ disappeared from their home in Northcliff‚ Johannesburg‚ after the robbery earlier this month.

Police later found three burnt bodies that were believed to be theirs in Centurion.

Initially six men were arrested in connection with the case‚ but charges were withdrawn against the sixth man due to a lack of evidence.

Mokgadi is a former employee of the Naidoo family.

The investigating officer and court officials would not comment on the case‚ saying more details will come out during the men's bail application.

The suspects were found in possession of a Toyota Quantum minibus and a Mercedes Benz‚ together with stolen household appliances.

-TimesLIVE