A former police official and four other suspects arrested for Lieutenant-Colonel Piet Pretorius’s death remain behind bars.
This is after four of the five suspects, Mthobisi Nkosi, Aubrey Xaba, Skhumbuzo Skhakhane and Nyiko Mujovo abandoned their bail application on Tuesday, February 18.
They appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court with the fifth suspect, Valencia Skhosana who proceeded with her bail application but was also remanded in custody.
READ | Police commander shot dead
Their arrest came a few hours after the murder was committed in the early hours of January 17. After their first court appearance, more evidence was brought forward.
READ | More evidence brought forward in police commander’s murder case
They are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as defeating the ends of justice.
Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, said the postponement will allow the investigation team to obtain further evidence and bring the matter to a speedy trial.
They are expected to appear in court on April 10, 2025.
