One of the two men who allegedly broke into the home of an 85-year-old woman and severely beat her before killing her dog appeared briefly in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Fezile Mali, 26, an alleged career criminal, had his formal bail application postponed to January 25 in order for the state to obtain copies of the man’s record and other documents.
According to prosecutor Melani Hammet, Mali has no fixed address and would have to point out an address before formal bail proceedings could take place.
A source close to the case, who is not being identified as he is not permitted to speak to the media, said Mali had been linked to a string of other offences including robbery and housebreaking.
He is currently charged with a count of housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
It is alleged that Mali and an accomplice forced their way into the Gordon Terrace, Central, home of Margarita Peo, 85, shortly before 1am on Wednesday January 9.
It is not clear if Mali and his alleged accomplice were involved in a separate housebreaking incident, also in Richmond Hill, three hours earlier.
The attack on Peo left her so badly injured she had to be taken to hospital for treatment.
At the time, Peo’s son Derrick, 57, said his mother could not speak because her mouth and tongue were swollen.
He said it was a mystery how the robbers had gained entry to the property, as it is protected with an electric fence and an alarm system.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said Peo’s small dog had been killed by the robbers.