6 days ago
Court grants bail to 4 accused in KZN rehab murder
Four men accused of murdering Luke Edwards (32), whose body was found near the Tetelestai Recovery Centre in Kingsburgh, KZN, in April, were yesterday granted bail of R2 000 each by the uMlazi Magistrate's Court.
The Witness reports that in the dock were Lloyd Clive Ramsbottom (29), Banele Mseleku (24), Jean Pierre van Niekerk (28) and Njabulo Brandon Dlamini (28). They were working as volunteer mentors at the centre while also being patients.
On hearing the bail ruling, Edwards' family and friends stood up and left the courtroom before the magistrate announced the postponement date.
Investigating officer Kenneth Khanyase testified that Edwards, who was a patient at the recovery centre, was beaten over several hours with a crate. He said Edwards had been isolated, deprived of food and subjected to severe violence by the four.
The state argued that bail could threaten witnesses' safety and that all four are flight risks as they are unemployed. The accused said they plan to plead not guilty and disputed any involvement in the murder.
Van Niekerk and Ramsbottom both claimed ignorance of the fatal assault. Mseleku and Dlamini cited concerns over deteriorating mental and physical health as justification for bail, arguing prison conditions at Westville Prison, where they have been held, hindered their rehabilitation.
During Khanyase's cross-examination, the defence questioned how he obtained the information that led to the arrest of the accused. He replied that it came from witnesses at Tetelestai Recovery Centre.
The defence also questioned the credibility of the witnesses, saying they were not physically present when the assault happened but only saw Edwards and the accused together.
The case was postponed to August 19 for further investigation.
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