By REGINALD KANYANE
1 October 2024- A man (21), who is facing a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, as well as a charge of murder for killing Renee Lea (57) in Standerton. Cuan Karelse briefly appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that on 24 August 2024, the accused slipped into the deceased’s place of residence as she was driving in her vehicle. Mahanjana alleged that Karelse tied her up, robbed her of her belongings, wrapped her with a carpet, put her in the boot of her car and drove with her to Pretoria.
“When the deceased’s daughter could not get hold of her on the phone, she called the tracker company to allocate the car. The tracker company then located the car at a petrol station in Moreleta, Pretoria while the accused was inside the shop.
“The petrol attendants identified the accused as the person, who was driving the vehicle. The tracker company personnel then apprehended the accused when they opened the boot of the car,” she said.
Mahanjana further said The deceased body was found with cables around her neck and mouth covered with tape. She added that the police were called and the accused was arrested.
In court, he asked to be released on R1000 bail because he wanted to take care of his pregnant girlfriend. However, the state prosecutor, Chris Maruma, opposed the accused release on bail and told the court the state had a strong case and overwhelming evidence against the accused.
Furthermore, Maruma said, should the accused be released on bail, he might evade trial.
Magistrate Msulwane agreed with the state and found that the accused failed to convince the court that exceptional circumstances exist that warrant his release on bail. Therefore, bail was denied and the accused was remanded in custody.
The matter was postponed to 5 December 2024, for further investigations.
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