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THE five accused facing charges of murdering Malcolm Pather who disappeared last month have abandoned their bid for bail.

Stacey Lee Hector, Wade van Reenen, Kyle Francis, Igshaan Abrahams and Courtney Nortjie returned to the dock at the Atlantis Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The court heard that images of the accused were allowed to be taken before proceedings started.

This was the first time that the court ever had an application brought by the media to have photos taken of an accused.

As they entered the dock Abrahams and Nortjie were seen having a lekker vry session.

Meanwhile, Hector and Van Reenen were slightly talking to one another and Francis was seen with his head faced down.

The court heard that the accused are facing Schedule 6 charges of murder in terms of common purpose, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.

This after they allegedly lured killed Pather and burned his body.

The five accused were expected to apply for the bid for bail and the State intended to oppose their applications. However they opted to stay innie mang.

The court further heard that the case was postponed for further investigation.

Pather, from Durban, disappeared on 13 July and it is alleged that he booked an appointment with "sex worker" Hector in Table View. His phone was turned off after he left his residence in Richwood, Table View.

However, following the search into his whereabouts, police officials said that Pather's body was discovered burned beyond recognition on 14 July in Melkbosstrand at the back of a bakkie that was stolen in Goodwood between 12 July and 13.

According to Daily Voice sources, the bakkie was burned twice and evidence found at the crime scene led to a potential suspect.

The suspect was identified on video footage in possession of Pather’s vehicle, which was later recovered in Mitchells Plain.

Hector, 39, was arrested on 25 July in Table View, while Van Reenen, 39, was arrested on 28 July at the Cape Town Magistrates Court facing drug charges in another matter.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk reports: “A 41-year-old male [Francis] was arrested in Mitchells Plain on Wednesday, 30 July and two others, a female age 29 [Nortje] and male age 33 [Abrahams] in Sea Point on Friday, 1 August.”

The court further heard that the investigation is incomplete, as the post-mortum report, chain statements, crime scene photos, further witness statements, toxicology reports are outstanding.

The State added that more suspects and charges are yet to be added.

The accused remain innie mang until 29 September, while Pather’s funeral was on 2 August in Chatsworth. 

He is survived by his minor child, as his wife sadly passed away a few years ago.