Two in court over former Bok player attack

TWO men who were arrested days after a gang broke into a Port Alfred holiday home and attacked former Springbok rugby player Gerrie Sonnekus and two of his fishing friends, appeared briefly in court yesterday.

Magistrate Walter le Grange ordered that Mthuthuzeli Mbaba, 34, and Kondile Twin, 29, remain behind bars until July 14 when they are expected to make a formal bail application. He told the two slightly built men the frenzied knife attack was a high-profile matter as it involved ex-Springbok Sonnekus.

The men face several charges including two counts of attempted murder and housebreaking with intent to commit robbery.

The vicious Saturday night attack on Sonnekus, Billy Zaaiman and Andre Cleghorn sent shock waves through the town as news spread that a four-man gang broke into the house in an upmarket area while the three Free State holidaymakers were inside.

Spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said police were confident the other two gang members would be arrested soon.

State prosecutor Paul Rossouw told the court the men faced several serious charges.

Basil Williams from the Grahamstown Justice Centre appeared for the accused.

Sonnekus, a Free State eighthman who played for the Boks from 1974 to 1984, was stabbed in the back, twice in the head and in the face during the violent attack.

The three friends fought for their lives before they were overpowered in Zaaiman's holiday home, beaten, stabbed and tied up by the men.

The men gained access at about 10pm on Saturday by lifting a glass sliding door off its track.

They fled with cellphones, alcohol and cash. - David Macgregor