INLSA
Brett Williams was beaten to death after a rugby match at Kings Park Stadium in Durban. Pic: Supplied
Durban – It will be every man for himself on Thursday morning when the suspects accused of killing British rugby fan Brett Williams appear in court, represented by some of Durban’s best criminal lawyers, who will be fighting for their release on bail after two nights in custody.
However, they may be behind bars for a while longer if the State asks for, and is granted, a seven-day remand before a bail hearing, possibly to hold an identity parade.
Four of the men – who are all in their twenties – handed themselves over to the police on Tuesday night. A fifth presented himself on Wednesday morning.
While two brothers have engaged attorney Jacques Botha, who has briefed Christo van Schalkwyk SC, the others are all represented by different attorneys, including Johan Jooste – who has briefed advocate Paul Jorgensen – and Malcolm Lutge.
“The fact that they have different lawyers means they have different, conflicting versions,” a legal expert explained on Wednesday.
“They will all seek to distance themselves from what happened and possibly blame each other. They may well have known each other, and even been friends, before, but that will be over in the courtroom.”
The Mercury understands that a sixth suspect has been co-operating with the police and could well become a State witness.
The men’s lawyers are still unsure if the State will oppose bail this morning.
“We intend to bring a bail application, and we have prepared for it,” Jooste told The Mercury late yesterday.
“If the State tries to apply for a seven-day remand, we will definitely oppose it. That is usually only allowed for further investigation, and they have had ample time for that. We have also given them our full co-operation.”
Lutge also confirmed that he intended to apply for bail for his client as soon as possible.
Botha could not be reached for comment, but The Mercury believes he too has prepared affidavits in support of bail for his clients.
Williams – a former Royal Marine who was working as a maritime safety operator on a ship docked in Durban – was beaten to death by a gang after a Sharks-Rebels game at Kings Park Stadium almost two weeks ago.
News of the murder trickled out only three days later, resulting in allegations of an attempted cover-up. The police have also come under fire for not arresting the alleged perpetrators sooner, even though their identities were known.
Police said they had given them until tomorrow to hand themselves in, although a source close to the investigation said the deal with their lawyers was that this would happen yesterday morning.
The source said there had been a change of heart and, given the suspects’ desire to be granted bail, and in an attempt to avoid a “media circus”, it had been decided “the sooner, the better”, and all but one had presented themselves at the Durban Central police station by 8pm on Tuesday.
Because cells there are being renovated, they are being held at the Durban North police station.
On Wednesday police took warning statements and compiled “profiles” before their bail applications.
The source said it was not fair to criticise the police.
“There has been a lot of communication over the past few days. Many statements have been taken, and the scene has been sketched.”
tania.broughton@inl.co.za
The Mercury
