Bronn murder trial postponed
Three men accused of killing gay night-club owner Bruno Bronn appeared in the Western Cape High Court on Monday.
Johan Frederick Coetzer, Fareez Allie and Achmat Toffa appeared before Judge President John Hlophe, who instructed them to be back in court on September 16.
The postponement was to allow Coetzer's new lawyer time to prepare for trial. A legal aid lawyer was also being appointed for Allie.
Their trial was scheduled to start on October 7 if no further delays occurred. The men are accused of killing Bronn, 50, in his Green Point home on February 7 last year.
According to the indictment, he was strangled and died of suffocation. He owned the popular night-clubs Bronx and Navigaytion in Somerset Road, Green Point.
The men face charges of premeditated murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Both charges carry life sentences. Coetzer is out on bail of R20,000 and Allie of R5000.
Toffa was granted bail in the matter, but remained in custody at Pollsmoor Prison on unrelated charges. The court heard that the prison refused to release Toffa despite him recently being acquitted on an unrelated charge and out on warning for another.
Hlophe said he would sign an order confirming Toffa was out on bail for the Bronn case.
- Sapa