One of the police officers who is implicated in the murder of Eldorado Park teen Nateniel Julies was previously convicted.
Simon Scorpion Ndyalvane, 43, Caylene Whiteboy, and Forster Netshiongolo, 37, appeared briefly in the Protea magistrate's court on Thursday.
The court heard that Ndyalvane was previously convicted of an offence, however, it was not disclosed what he was convicted for.
The nature of the offence and when it was committed will only come to light when the trio appear in court again for their bail application on September 22.
The court also heard that Netshiongolo made admissions during his arrest but the nature of the admissions were also not disclosed in court.
Ndyalvane and Whiteboy face charges of murder, possession of prohibited ammunition and discharging a firearm in public.
Netshiongolo, on the other hand, is facing charges of defeating the ends of justice and murder as an accessory after the fact.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the trio's defence team asked for a postponement in order to go through some documents to prepare for their bail application.
“This was done to fragmented bail hearings. The state is ready to proceed but if the defence team is not ready the court will allow them enough time to prepare,” Mjonondwane said.
She said the defence brought an application that makes provision that the accused is entitled to copies of statements they made during their arrests.
“Information about previous convictions will be divulged during bail application and it will be evidence- led at that point. During this point and time, we cannot divulge much as the state,” she said.
Mjonondwane also said that admissions made by Netshiongolo will also be presented. “We are not at liberty to make our case in the media. We can only present those in a court of law,” she said.
Ndyalvane and Whiteboy are accused of shooting and killing Julies on August 26 before rushing him to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto. The pair was arrested on August 28 while Netshiongolo was arrested on September 1.
Nateniel’s parents were also present during court proceedings. Community members had also packed the courtroom.
Larry Varrie, a community leader who spoke on the family’s behalf, said Nateniel’s mother, Bridget Harris, was calm and was relieved to see those alleged to have killed her son in the dock.
“We just hope that the prosecution will go fast so that the family gets closure. We also wish for those who know what happened on the day to come forward and make statements,” Varrie said.
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