Mamelodi case on hold

2006-05-15 12:45

Pretoria - The case against two men for the rape and murder of three Mamelodi girls was postponed in Pretoria regional court on Monday.

The two men are each facing three charges of murder, rape and robbery following their arrest in early May in connection with the discovery of the half-naked bodies of three high school pupils, dumped behind a shopping complex in Mamelodi.

The case was postponed to June 1 for possible bail application. The two were not asked to plead.

Tsholofelo Aphane, 19, Lerato Precious Dinisa, 18, and Lindiwe Mbonani, 19 - all from Section R of Mamelodi - were buried last week after memorial services were held at their schools.

Mbonani was a pupil at Prosperitus High School in Eersterus while Aphane and Dinisa attended Jafta Mahlangu High School in Mamelodi.

At the men's last appearance, one of the accused told the court he feared being killed by the community.

Following the deaths, Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa visited the families of the three young women, while opposition party the Democratic Alliance said the killings underlined the need for specialised police units.

- SAPA