The nine appeared in the Delmas High Court on November 11.
The suspended officers’ criminal hearing was set down for three weeks, but was postponed to May 26, next year, due to confusion around who will foot their legal bill for the duration of the trial.
This follows Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), which funded their bail hearing, stating unequivocally that it does not fund criminal trials.
“We only assisted with their bail hearing; we have no obligation to fund a criminal trial and there should be no confusion around that,” said Theto Mahlakoana, Popcru media and communications officer.
The officers were released on R5 000 bail each, in August.
Macia died in police custody earlier this year, after he was handcuffed to a police van and dragged for several metres.
