The four accused in the Krugersdorp triple murders briefly appeared in a jampacked Roodepoort Magistrate Court today (27 June) on three counts of murder, two counts of robbery, one count of attempted theft and one count of kidnapping.
Fabian Luff (32) and Christiaan Kruger (29) were arrested on 3 June after the murders of Anthony Scholefield on 10 May, Keven McAlpine on 26 May and Ruimsig Re/Max real estate agent, Hanle Lategan on 30 May.
The case took an unexpected turn when two more suspects were arrested in the early morning hours of 23 June in connection with the three murders. Marcelle Steyn (18) and her brother Le Roux Steyn (20) appeared in court alongside Kruger and Luff.
According to the hefty charge sheet the four accused are charged with murdering McAlpine, Scholefield and Lategan after strangling them and beating them with an unknown object. They are also charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping and theft.
Regional Magistrate Delize Smith started the proceedings by reminding the media that no video footage or photographs were allowed in court. After a long wait in court, Luff walked into the court from the holding cells, followed by Kruger carrying a Bible. He was followed by the Steyn siblings. Both were neatly dressed, Le Roux was dressed in a dark jean and a black leather jacket while Marcelle was dressed like a typical teenager with a unique and modern hairstyle.
The case was attended by family members of all three victims as well as family of the accused. Members of the community also sat in the public gallery and explained that they attended the case to show their support to the family of the victims.
Smith explained the rights of the accused to them and heard that the Steyn siblings were both seeking legal aid. Smith explained that this matter is a schedule six offence. The case was postponed for a formal bail application on 30 June to offer the Steyns the opportunity to get legal aid .
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