Seven of the 14 suspects, who were arrested in Gauteng in connection with the gruesome murder of Zimbabwean, Elvis Nyathi, in Johannesburg’s Diepsloot township in South Africa, appeared before a Randburg magistrate on Tuesday facing charges of kidnapping and murder.
The state prosecutor told the court that there was insufficient evidence to bring the other seven to court.
The prosecutor said the accused are facing charges of murder with intent to kill, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, theft and kidnapping.
Four of the accused persons indicated that they are looking for attorneys while the other three are seeking pro bono legal representation.
The magistrate remanded them in custody and ordered them to appear in court on Friday. The suspects are expected to appeal for bail pending the finalization of their cases.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, told VOA Zimbabwe Service that they have evidence linking the suspects to the gruesome murder of the Zimbabwean.
A relative of one of the suspects accused the media of focusing on Nyathi’s death instead of also highlighting the killing of some South Africans by suspected Zimbabwean criminals.
Nyathi, who was laid to rest in Bulawayo on Saturday, was kidnapped, beaten up and set on fire by a vigilante group, which was looking for criminals.
The Zimbabwean was a domestic worker.
Thuso Khumalo contributed to this article