GOLDIN MURDER: CHARGES WITHDRAWN

Charges have been withdrawn in the Wynberg magistrate’s court against three of the people arrested for the murder of actor Brett Goldin and fashion designer Richard Bloom.

No reason was given by state prosecutor Thinus Groenewald who withdrew the charges against Rameez Said, Travino Cairncross and Anushka Anthony. Two other men accused of the murder – Rashaad Shaik and Faizel Gaffoor – were formally charged.

This leaves eight people still under arrest for the brutal execution style murder of the gay men. The accused face charges of murder, abduction, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of stolen property.

The state has asked for another seven day postponement of the case – until the 3rd of May – before bail applications are heard by the court.

Meanwhile, friends of Goldin and Bloom are encouraging members of the gay community and others affected by the murder to sign books of condolences that will be given to their loved ones.

Individual books for each of the two men have been prepared, and Café Manhattan in De Waterkant, Cape Town has kindly offered to host them for a few weeks. If you would like to sign the books, please speak to the manger on duty at the restaurant.

Should you be unable to get to Manhattans and you would like to send a message to the families, please e-mail a message of condolence, which will be pasted into the relevant book, to the following addresses: richardbloom_messages@hotmail.com and brettgoldin_messages@hotmail.com.

An emotional memorial service was held in Cape Town on Tuesday for Goldin and Bloom, which was attended by friends, family and public figures including the Mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille.