The three men accused of kidnapping 10-year-old Liam Aspeling earlier this month made a low-key appearance in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Aspeling, whose father is a state witness in a truck-hijacking case, was snatched from a car while on his way to school on October 11.
A private detective found him at a house in Freedom Park, south of Johannesburg, the next day and three people were arrested within the week.
The crowds gathered outside Aspeling’s home in Ennerdale at the time of his disappearance were not in court when Jacob Themba Sishange, Phamuel Selani and Elton Ferdine walked up the steps for their appearance on kidnapping charges.
Sishange and Selani covered their faces with white hand towels, while Ferdine pulled his charcoal sweater over his head, frustrating photographers who were allowed to film inside the court before magistrate Kganki Phahlamohlaka entered.
The three were not asked to plead, only whether they understood the details of their next court appearance.
Within minutes, Phahlamohlaka had postponed the case to November 9 and transferred it to the Vereeniging Regional Court. Denied bail, the three men were led back into custody.
Selani eyed the public gallery as he descended the stairs to the holding cells.
Liam has reportedly been taken into a witness-protection programme.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Maria Mazibuko said she had no information of new developments in the case. — Sapa