Murder-accused Mervyn Bock returns to dock for bail bid

Murder-accused Mervyn Bock returns to the Knysna Magistrates Court for a bail bid.

Bock allegedly killed his girlfriend, Velia Strydom, in December and pretended to be her in text messages to her friends and family to deter a search for her.

During the last court hearing, the community submitted a petition with over 5,000 signatures to oppose his bail.

The State believes it has compelling evidence to prove Bock orchestrated and carried out the murder of Strydom.

In CCTV footage submitted to the court, the mother of four is seen leaving a club with her boyfriend during the December holidays.

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A short while later, surveillance footage allegedly captures Bock loading Strydom's body into a vehicle and later dumping her in a shallow grave near the iconic red bridge in Knysna.

The court heard that around the time of his girlfriend's disappearance, Bock's Google search history allegedly reveals research about strangulation.

Family spokesperson Warrick Langisa said they fear he may endanger other lives if he is released.

"We think of the community, and if they release him on bail, he might or he can interfere with witnesses, and even with evidence."

Relatives and friends, together with the community, are expected to continue to picket outside the courthouse ahead of Thursday's bail hearing.