The four accused in the Krugersdorp triple murder case might possibly be linked with two more murders – one in Hartebeespoort and another in Krugersdorp.
A packed Roodepoort Regional Court heard that the three accused who applied for bail, would not be granted bail and will remain in custody till the case continues on 13 October in the Roodepoort Regional Court. They are Christiaan Kruger (29) and the Steyn siblings, Le Roux (20) and Marcel (18).
Fabian Luff (32) decided not to apply for bail.
The case caused wide public interest after the murders of financial brokers Anthony Scholefield on 10 May, Kevin McAlpine on 26 May and Hanle Lategan on 31 May.
Kruger, Luff, Le Roux and Marcel all face three charges of murder, three charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping and theft.
All three of the accused’s affidavits stipulated that they will be pleading not guilty. In Kruger’s affidavit he claimed that he was slapped by a police officer, while Le Roux claims that he was suffocated with a gas mask while he was in the holding cells.
The Steyn siblings sat motionless while Regional Magistrate Delize Smith explained that it was clear that the murders were premeditated. Kruger looked increasingly nervous when Smith said the possible sentence that the accused could be facing could include three life sentences for the murders as well as a further 25 years for the other charges.
Smith stipulated that this is a very strong case as video footage at the Delta Spar ATM in Krugersdorp showed where Le Roux and Marcel drew money on different occasions.
Kruger’s cellphone records apparently show that he was in contact with McAlpine from 23 May till the time of his death, said Smith. She added that a photo of the tied-up body of Lategan was also found on Marcel’s phone.
Marcel shook her head while Smith was talking about the evidence found on the phone.
“When the home of the Steyn siblings was searched, clothes similar to those on the video footage were found,” said Smith. She added that blood was found in the car belonging to Marcel and Le Roux’s mother.
DNA tests are currently being done.
Smith told the court that all three victims died as a result of strangulation and blunt force trauma to the heads.
Smith explained that she could only grant bail if exceptional circumstances were presented. The way in which the victims were lured to their death and the way they were murdered showed that these were aggressive crimes Smith explained.
Le Roux found this very funny and grinned at his sister sitting next to him.
His attorney Victor da Silva warned him to not do it again.
On account of being a flight risk the accused were not granted bail and the case was postponed to 13 October.
N Ferdie de Witt, Lategan’s brother said, after the court adjourned, that he is very relieved about the outcome of the bail application.
Details: BREAKING NEWS: Suspect in custody for murder of Hanle Lategan
