Trio accused of killing 7 KZN family members abandon bail

Three men accused of killing seven members of the Monswamy family in northern KwaZulu-Natal have abandoned their bail application, citing security reasons.

The trio made their first appearance in the KwaDukuza Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Linda Mthiyane, Bongumenzi Mpungose, and Mthandeni Mthiyane face seventeen counts of robbery, rape, kidnapping, murder and possession of an illegal firearm.

When the court proceedings got underway, journalists were instructed not to show the accused’s faces for security reasons.

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The trio's legal team told the packed courtroom that they are abandoning their bail application, something welcomed by the prosecution, as it also intended to oppose.

Investigating officers said that, given the fact that the case is focusing on two crime scenes, they need more time to process some of their findings.

State Prosecutor Paul Nel outlined the outstanding details in the case that investigators need to conclude.

"Your worship, the state has to finalise the investigation in as far as postmortem report is concerned, ballistics from evidence that was collected, DNA evidence. Your worship, there are witness statements that need to be completed.”

The case has been postponed to 23 June.