JOHANNESBURG – As the family of slain taxi driver Mido Macia prepares to bury him in Mozambique, residents of Daveyton have reiterated their demands that his alleged killers be denied bail.
Macia was dragged through the streets while handcuffed to the back of a police van last week.
He died in a holding cell hours later.
A total of nine policemen were arrested and charged with murder.
They appeared in the Benoni Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday to make a formal bail application.
The state on Friday arrested a ninth policeman who appeared in the dock alogside his colleagues.
Besides being charged with murder, he was also accused of attempting to flee to avoid arrest and prosecution.
During their appearance, all of the accused said they intended pleading not guilty to the charge of murdering Macia.
Despite video footage of Marcia being dragged behind a police van, only two of the accused mentioned it in their affidavits.
All of them said they were surprised to learn of Macia’s death as he had not complained of any injuries.
The case was postponed until next Monday and the officers will remain in custody.
Prosecutors will on Monday submit affidavits from witnesses.
The state will oppose bail and said they will call witnesses to the stand if need be.
The Guardian 