Coka brothers’ accused killer farmers granted bail

Piet Retief murder accused Daniel Malan, Cornelius Greyling, Othard Klingberg, Michael Sternberg and Zenzele Yende were granted bail on Friday morning.

The men were arrested three weeks ago following the death of Amos and Zenzele Coka at the Pampoenkraal farm in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga.

The Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court agreed with the defence’s argument the men should be released and that it would be in the interests of justice.

They were released on bail of R10 000 each. Public order police were deployed around the courthouse, as possible unrest was anticipated due to previous incidents of violence during their earlier court appearances.

Also Read: Court hears Coka brothers shot in the back, one killed execution style

The defence previously argued before magistrate Simon Fankomo the state witnesses were dishonest when giving statements to the police. Also that the shooting of the brothers was the result of a confrontation between the accused and a group of protestors which turned violent.

The defence said the protestors had assaulted another farmer before the fatal shooting.

Also Read: Stones thrown as racial hatred flares in Mkhondo

The defence said the shooting incident took place because of a confrontation between two groups of people. It is also alleged one of the suspects and another farmer were assaulted shortly before the fatal shooting.

On the day of the incident, it is alleged a group of seasonal farm workers went to Pampoenkraal farm on a labour related matter. This led to the clash and subsequent shooting.