The courtroom was packed with people eager to see the six accused of the 11 Krugersdorp murders – appearing together for the first time in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court on 7 November.
Families of some of the victims were in court and speculated during tea time that murder-accused number one, Zak Valentine would not be appearing in court as he is believed to be in hospital. The State, however, said they have no idea why he’s in hospital but that they would find out and also find out how long he will be there. It is believed the accused’s sugar levels were very low as he is a diabetic. Valentine has allegedly been in hospital since 3 November.
Friends, Cecelia Steyn and Marinda Steyn (not related) appeared alongside Marinda’s children, Le Roux and Marcel Steyn. The fourth accused, John Barnard also appeared. All the accused appeared together, as a possible connection to all 11 murders are being investigated.
There was a rumble in the courtroom when the accused appeared. Comments could be heard from the public gallery of people outraged by the nonchalant attitude of the accused. Only the Steyn siblings acknowledged each other but never received any attention from the others, especially their mother, Marinda.
It was a shocking moment in court when the State prosecutor said to Magistrate Keith Page that all the accused – including the absent Valentine – will at least be charged with one count of murder. None of the accused had any reaction to this statement. Page said that a possibility of racketeering charges will be investigated.
