Beerhouse killers plotted murder - State

The three men accused of murdering a bouncer at the Beerhouse in Cape Town had planned the murder, a court heard.

Cape Town - Three Cape Town men accused of murdering a bouncer at a popular city bar had sat at a local eatery and planned the murder, the Cape Town Magistrate’s court heard on Monday

“You all sat together at Food Inn where you spoke about ‘bloed gaan trek’ (blood will spill),” said state prosecutor Andy Hess.

Ubaid van der Bergh, 20, Toufiq Essa, 21, and Nasbie Edwards, 27, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court for their bail application.

The three men stand accused of the pre-meditated murder of 32-year-old bouncer Joe Kanyona at the Beerhouse on June 20, 2015.

Hess argued that a witness had told police that the three men had plotted Kanyona’s murder at a local eatery prior to the crime being committed.

According to Hess, R1 000 had been exchanged from Edwards to Van Der Bergh and Essa.

Video footage showed Van Der Bergh and Essa approaching Kanyona and creating a “wall” before the fatal stabbing occurred, Hess said. The two suspects were then seen running away.

Edwards had allegedly picked up his two co-accused after the incident.

The three accused were charged with a schedule six offence which meant the onus was on them to prove exceptional circumstances existed for them to be granted bail.

Hess argued that all three men knew one another and that despite their arguments to the contrary they had all lived in Grey Street in Woodstock at some point in their lives.

Hess further argued the suspects belonged to a local gang Young Gifted Bastards. Essa said he was indeed affiliated with the gang while the other two denied or chose not to comment on the allegation.

The hearing continues.

ANA