THE seven men accused of killing ex-PSL player will appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court in Ekurhuleni on Thursday, 14 March.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict on the five accused who applied for bail through their lawyers on Monday, 11 March,
Former Golden Arrows player Bhekisizwe "Shakira" Nkosi from Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, was allegedly kidnapped and killed on 25 December 2023. His body was found on Friday, 29 December in a dam in Thokoza.
Bhekisizwe played for Arrows in the 2012/2013 PSL season.
Accused two, four, five, six and seven applied for bail through their lawyers, while accused one and three have withdrawn their application.
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Senior state Advocate Nkosazana Maloyi said releasing the suspects on bail would pose a danger to the witnesses.
"When the accused heard that there was a witness who had witnessed everything when the deceased was allegedly assaulted, he called him and threatened him. He told the witness not to tell anyone what he had seen.
"He threatened the witness that something would happen to him if he revealed the information and that he might even make him disappear," Maloyi said.
The state prosecutor told the court that there was an outcry from residents that the suspects should not be released on bail.
"The residents handed over a petition signed by 130 people to the police officers, which was added to the case file. The state should bear in mind that the community fears the worst if the suspects are released on bail," Maloyi said.
Maloyi said Bhekisizwe was accused of stealing from accused number one.
"The accused found the deceased and allegedly assaulted him. They should have taken him to the police and opened a case of theft," Maloyi said.
Lawyer Amukelani Baloyi, representing accused six, said his client had not been to the province but when he came back, he heard that the police were looking for him.
He said his client surrendered himself to the police and if he was granted bail, he won't contact or intimidate the witnesses.
Residents who attended the case said they wanted the suspect not to be released on bail.
Ekurhuleni Thatha-Zonke Anti-Crime Unit spokesman, Simphiwe Khumalo, said they were thrilled that the state prosecutor at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court in Ekurhuleni opposed bail for the seven suspects.
Resident Charles Nchabeleng said: "These people have caused problems, especially in Thokoza. They should not be granted bail."
Another resident, Ouma Mofokeng from Katlehong, said she was among the people who had signed a petition calling for the suspects not to be released on bail.
