Judge Pitso Molitsoane, announced the postponement of the trial in a virtual sitting today. Molitsoane said that he was unavailable because he is under quarantine after testing positive for COVID19 whilst the state’s prosecutor Johan De Nysschen, was also unavailable due illness.

The trail has been dragging on since 2019 and it was set to be finalised this month, but the postponement means that six suspects, including murder master-mind, Stanley Bakili, will have to wait a bit longer. 

On Tuesday, 10th of May Judge Molitsoane postponed the matter to Monday, the 16th of May but unfortunately both Judge Molitsoane and Adv De Nysschen have since fallen ill.

Suspects, including Bakili, a police officer, and a disbarred attorney, amongst others, are standing trial for the murder of Siemens who was gunned down at the Preller Square parking lot in broad daylight in May 2018. The case against these suspects has been dragging on since 2018.

So far, only six men remain charged with varying roles in the murder of Siemens. Today marks five years since Siemens was murdered by the confessed shooter and star state witness, Xolisile Botha Mbebetho, who is currently serving a 22-year jail term. 

The alleged murder mastermind, Bakili, was arrested hours after Siemens was murdered. Ten men were arrested for allegedly playing various direct and indirect roles in orchestrating and carrying out the murder. Eight of the accused are standing trial while the others have turned state witness. 

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