The three men accused of murdering a Bronkhorstspruit magistrate asked the Pretoria magistrate’s court for them to undergo medical examinations after they claimed police assaulted them while in custody.
The men’s request was granted and the case was remanded to 16 March for a formal bail application.
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They claimed they were beaten by the police during their arrests.
One of the men said he had previously undergone an operation on one of his hands and his wound was aggravated by the alleged assault, causing pain and discomfort.
The family of slain magistrate Victor Mabunda (50) said they were not convinced that the men needed medical attention and could be trying to use this as a tactic to evade the law.
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Family spokesperson Erel Ngobeni said the men could be planning an escape.
“We are not convinced. We think they may want to escape from hospital,” he said.
The men are accused of shooting Mabunda four times at the driveway of his home in Bronkhorstspruit in January.
Ngobeni said the family had faith in the justice system as the case was being handled by some of the most experienced prosecutors in the national prosecuting authority.
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“We are happy and trust that the state will handle things in the correct way,” he said.
“The court should ensure that they have the necessary security to ensure that they do not escape from health facilities.”
It is believed that police are still searching for two other suspects who may have been involved in the murder.
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