The murder trial of the ten suspects arrested in connection with the murder of a grade ten student from Kayamandi, is set to begin in the Stellenbosch Regional Court later this month.
Asisipho April, a grade ten student from Kayamandi, was killed on 17 April this year.
The suspects’ bail application, heard at the Stellenbosch Magistrates Court on 15 June, had been denied.
During the bail application, magistrate Thashen Subrayen said that the murder trial would begin on 26 July in the Stellenbosch Regional Court.
The ten suspects held in connection with the murder of grade ten student Asisipho April, got denied bail during a hearing on 15 June. PHOTO: Joseph Bracken
No stopping the crowd
Asisipho was murdered on the night of 17 April in the suburb of Azania in Kayamandi, according to captain Natalie Martin, spokesperson for South African Police Services Stellenbosch. “The victim was beaten to death,” stated captain Martin.
On the evening of the murder a group of people allegedly showed up at the victim’s house, said Ziyanda April, the deceased’s mother, who spoke in an interview with SMF News.
During the first court proceedings, on 26 May, sergeant Clinton Malan, the investigating officer on the murder case, testified that the group had weapons, including pangas, knives and iron poles, with them. During this proceeding, sergeant Malan testified that the suspects should not be given bail as they have threatened witnesses with violence upon their potential release.
Asisipho April, a grade ten schoolboy from Kayamandi, was killed in Azania, a suburb in Kayamandi, on 17 April, stated Captain Natalie Martin spokesperson for South African Police Services Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Google Maps
When the suspects could not find Asisipho, they threatened to demolish the house and “started throwing rocks”, claimed April’s mother during a conversation with SMF News.
Asisipho then went out of the house and they took him away and started beating him, claimed his mother.
According to Ziyanda April, the group allegedly claimed that Asisipho had previously stolen from one of the members of the group.
Police and an ambulance were called to the scene and Asisipho was taken away, said Ziyanda April. However, soon after he arrived at the hospital he began to have “fits and seizures”, she said.
According to Malan, Asisipho succumbed to the injuries on his head and chest.
Remembering Asisipho
Ziyanda April, the mother of Asisipho April. Asisipho died on 17 April after being beaten by a group of assailants. PHOTO: Joseph Bracken
“He was always friendly and happy, he was a people person,” said Ziyanda in remembering her late son. At school he was well-liked by the teachers, she added.