LISTEN: Vlakfontein suspects 'must explain why they killed innocent children'
Two suspects
appeared in the Lenasia Magistrates Court on Monday in connection with the
killing of three women and four children in Vlakfontein, south of
Johannesburg.
The two men face seven charges of premeditated murder.
Vusi Mabaso (27), known to the murdered family as Sibusiso Khoza, sat alongside co-accused Fita Kupe (61) in a packed courtroom.
As they sat silently in courtroom 3, protesting community members gathered outside chanted "No bail!"
Mabaso is the alleged imposter who told the family he was the son of the brother to two of the victims.
Khupe is believed to have been in a romantic relationship with one of the victims.
ALSO READ: SAA is worth saving - Gordhan
The fathers of the four children struggle to hold back the tears as he sat in the courtroom.
"I don't know what to say honestly. I am very happy that this guy is here and he has to explain why he killed these people and innocent children. All I ask for is for this person not to get bail," said Phelo Lekoetje.
Lekoetjie's 11-year-old daughter Karabo is one of the victims.
Mabaso faces three additional charges of rape and theft as he was found in possession of the bank cards of the adult victims near the Lembobo border on Saturday.
Khupe will be applying for bail on Monday, November 12, while Mabaso has decided to abandon his bail application.
"As the state, we will be opposing the bail, we feel that members of the Khoza family were gruesomely murdered and this is a schedule 6 offense and it's upon accused two to bring exceptional circumstances on why he should be granted bail," said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
Its believed Mabaso is a Zimbabwean national and Khupe a Mozambican national, but Mjonondwane couldn't confirm this as the state is still in the process of verifying their nationality.
Mabaso will be detained in the Johannesburg Central Police Station and Khupe at the Johannesburg prison, better known as Sun City.