BRUNO BRONN ACCUSED BAIL HEARING POSTPONED

The four men accused of murdering Cape Town gay nightclub owner Bruno Bronn will remain in custody for at least another week.

John Frederick Coetzee, 36, Fareez Allie, 29, Achmat Toffar, 35, and Kurt Erisp, 32, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday in what was expected to be a collective bail hearing.

Magistrate Jasthree Steyn, however, ordered that they remain in custody at least until next Monday, 27 February, when their bail application will be heard.

The public gallery was packed with Bronn’s friends and acquaintances. A petition has been started online that argues that the accused should not be granted bail as they may intimidate possible witnesses in the gay community.

Meanwhile, a memorial for Bronn has been planned for Friday 24 February at 5 p.m. at the Green Point Park Amphitheatre.

The public is invited to bring a picnic basket to the event which is expected to also be attended by Bronn’s family. Parking is available at the Virgin Active.

Bronn’s body was found by a domestic worker at his Sea Point home on 7 February. It is believed that he was strangled to death although police have not confirmed the cause of death.

He was the owner of the popular Bronx and Navigaytion nightclubs that recently closed down.