Johannesburg – Three siblings accused of murdering and kidnapping their father and three of his grandchildren were denied bail by the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Magistrate Levitt Mukansi said what had happened was “horrible and despicable”.

“The release of the accused will disturb public order, as the court has been packed to capacity since the bail application started on Monday,” he said.

Regina, Samuel, and Lillian Malatji would remain in custody until 8 November.

They were arrested last week when police found the decomposing body of their father Benedict Malatji locked in a dark room at their home in Atteridgeville.

– SAPA