A 32-year-old man who allegedly stabbed to death a Grahamstown police officer in Sun City, Grahamstown, on Saturday will remain in jail until next Monday.
A 32-year-old man who allegedly stabbed to death a Grahamstown police officer in Sun City, Grahamstown, on Saturday will remain in jail until next Monday.
The man briefly appeared in a fully packed Grahamstown Magistrate's Court today, Monday 8 August. Magistrate Ntsoki Moni said the man will appear for a bail application Monday 15 August.
As the man left the courtroom to go down to the cells, he looked at the people in the courtroom and, putting up his arms, made hand-gestures.
As early as 8am, around 40 people were singing and chanting outside the courts.
The dreadlocked man, wearing a hoodie and with a cap in his hand, entered the court in the afternoon.
Ntsoki explained to the man that he has the right to a lawyer. However, the alleged murderer refused to get a representative. He said he wanted to speak for himself. The magistrate asked the man if he was legally qualified and he said no.
Ntsoki said since this was a serious offence, the man would need a representative. He then agreed that he would consult a legal aid lawyer.
The magistrate asked if he had been convicted before and he said confirmed that he had been convicted for housebreaking.
Grahamstown police spokesperson Captain Luvuyo Mjekula said 48-year-old Warrant Officer Alby Julius was found dead with multiple stab-wounds in bushes near Sun City in north-east Grahamstown on Saturday morning.
Mjekula said the motive for the murder forms part of the investigation and the police do not wish not to speculate.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga said SAPS management in the Eastern Cape expressed their deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.
She also expressed her satisfaction with the swift arrest of the suspect by Grahamstown Detectives, Visible Policing and K9 members.
“Our hearts go out to his loved ones and close colleagues during this difficult time."
She said SAPS would provide all the support possible to the bereaved family.
Sun City, Hooggenoeg and Ghost Town residents gathered outside the court this morning carrying placards.
The residents described Julius as a very humble person who was not just a police officer but to them but a very nice community member. They said they have lost a good person and that was the reason why they decided not even to go to work.
"We have told our employers that we won't be able to go to work today but come here and ask the court to deny bail to this person… We can't afford to live with him in the community now."
