2 denied bail in Kazi murder
2012-08-13 14:42
Johannesburg - The two men accused of an assault on a man, who later died of his injuries, appeared without a public audience in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on Monday.
The pair, charged with murder and assault, were denied bail and the matter was postponed until 21 August.
The two are accused of killing 27-year-old Muhammad Fayaaz Kazi and assaulting his close friend, Anser Mahmood, outside a Chicken Licken outlet in Magaliesburg last Monday.
The men had made fun of Kazi's beard and insulted him when he confronted them, and a fight ensued.
Kazi died in hospital of his injuries on Tuesday.
Family disappointed
Family members, the public and the media were denied access to the courtroom.
A member of the pro-Muslim lobby group Media Review Network, Iqbal Jassad, said: "We were denied access because of legal procedures... an identity parade is yet to be [held] for the two accused."
Kazi's family also voiced disappointment at being excluded from the court appearance.
"We are obviously disappointed that we didn't have an opportunity to see the accused inside today, and we hope this doesn't happen again," family spokesperson Zahid Asmal told reporters at the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court.
Family members, the public, and journalists were told the appearance would take place in Court D, only to learn later that the two accused had appeared in a courtroom across the hallway.
"It's taken all of us by surprise as we were denied access into a free court," Asmal said.
Relatives tried to force their way into the court, but the door was locked. They knocked and pleaded, but to no avail.
Police told the family that the reason nobody was allowed into the courtroom was because the men still had to appear in an identity parade.
Justice
Mahmood, a blue bruise under his eye, was at court on Monday. He said he wanted to see justice done.
A Muslim woman who participated in a protest outside the court said more people were expected to show their support at the next court appearance.
She said Muslims across the country were enraged, and some wanted the two men to be released into their custody.
Asmal said the family and the Muslim community would allow justice to take its course.
"There are talks of protest action, but we are mature enough to deal with this in a sensible manner," Asmal said.
- SAPA
