FOR the first time since the 2010 murder of Walmer Country Club manager Gerrie Hoekstra, the four accused stood side by side in court yesterday.
Humewood resident – and a former Eastern Province rugby coach – Hoekstra, 61, was gunned down in broad daylight on November 22 2010.
Police made a breakthrough last week with the arrest of the fourth and final suspect, Walmer Country Club bookkeeper Karen van der Merwe, 40.
It is believed Van der Merwe was the mastermind of the scheme.
Her three co-accused, who appeared with her in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, were all arrested just days after the shooting. They are cab owner Abduragmaad Hendriks, 41, alleged shooter Sherwin Leander, 29, and Charne Brown, 32, who operated the telephones at the cab service.
The prosecution indicated yesterday that the investigations were complete. The matter was then transferred to the Port Elizabeth High Court for trial on July 30.
The big-built Hendriks held prayer beads behind his back, which he thumbed while praying softly.
The attractive Brown avoided eye contact with her co-accused.
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