Accused in Kortje murders abandons bail
The man accused of killing a Cape Town mom and her 7-year-old daughter has abandoned bail.
Ryan Smith appeared at the Bellville Magistrates on Monday.
He is charged with the murders of 27-year-old Altecia Kortje and her daughter Raynecia earlier this month.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the province Eric Ntabazalila says the matter has been postponed for further investigations.
“The matter was postponed to today to verify the address of the accused and continue with his bail application.
“The address was verified but the accused abandoned his bail application at this stage.”
Smith is set to make another court appearance on September 25.
The Kortje double-murder is among the high-profile GBV cases to emerge during the country’s national lockdown.
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KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Thembeka Mbele says the suspect was the victims' neighbour. "The suspect went to a neighbour's house and knocked at the door. When they opened, he's a known suspect, then they threatened him with a knife." A 12-year-old was also present but managed to escape and ran to a neighbour who notified the police.