Six drop bail bid in Malcolm Pather murder case

SIX of the seven mense accused of the kidnapping and murder of Cape Town father Malcolm Pather have abandoned their bail application.

The State is set to prove that the group - alleged Americans gang members and prostitutes - lured Pather to his death in July 2025 after his body was found burnt beyond recognition earlier this year.

He was last seen alive on 13 July, leaving his home in his blue BMW, having apparently made an appointment with alleged sex worker and accused Courtney Nortje.

According to the charge sheet, the accused are alleged to have on or about 13-14 July 2025 near Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, unlawfully and intentionally deprived Malcolm Pather of his freedom by tying his hands and placing him in a vehicle's boot and intentionally killed him, stole his vehicle and were found in possession of it.

The group made an appearance at the Atlantis Magistrate's Court earlier this week, with Stacey-Lee Hector, Wade van Reenen, Igshaan Abrahams, Kyle Francis, Paul Solomons and Zainoediden Greeff after giving up on bail.

However, Nortjie is focused on continuing her bail application

State prosecutor, Advocate Alfred Isaacs, is set to oppose Nortje's bail bid which is set to take place on 12 February 2026.

The six other's cases will resume on 10 April 2026, for further investigation.

The state aims to prove that the group operated as a syndicate with a common purpose and upon conviction of this murder may face life imprisonment.

The State contends that the deceased was the only parent to his twelve-year-old daughter. It is also further alleged that accused number three Igshaan Abrahams is a gang leader who belongs to the Americans gang and that the other male accused with him also bear tattoos of the same gang.

The Senior State Advocate Isaacs from Department of Public Prosecutions Cape Town said POCA charges might be added in future and the case might be tried in the High Court

According to the charge sheet, the accused is alleged to have on or about 13-14 July 2025 near Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, unlawfully and intentionally deprived Malcolm Pather of his freedom by tying his hands and placing him in a vehicle's boot and intentionally killed him, unlawfully stole his vehicle and were found in possession of it.