The two suspects on trial for the murder of beloved Claremont waiter and Zimbabwean national Raymond Matusa (37) appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 3 October.
They pleaded not guilty. This was confirmed by Claremont Vispol Commander Lt Col Marnus Fourie. The accused are Lindsay Francis (34) from Capricorn and Steven Jacobs (58) from Manenberg.
“They will return to Pollsmoor to await their next court appearance,” he said. “Whether a bail application will be heard by the court is not yet certain.”
The incident that led to their arrest on Thursday 24 August at Cavendish Square Shopping Centre was when one of them was seen wearing a jacket recognised as having belonged to Matusa, whose lifeless body was later discovered in Frederick Road.
Fourie, at the time, said the arrest was the result of a team effort involving local security and Claremont Improvement District Corporation (CIDC) security.
“The Excellerate Security officers at Cavendish Square Shopping Centre noted the well-known local waiter Matusa walking up Vineyard Road from the Blue Whistle Sports Bar to Frederick Road,” he related.
The officers also noted the two accused, Francis and Jacobs, following him in Vineyard Road. Within 10 minutes the security noted the same men coming back down towards Cavendish Square.
“The security immediately became suspicious when the two men were carrying a jacket that looked exactly like the one the Zimbabwean national was wearing earlier.”
Fourie explained this led to the men being searched, at which time a watch with a broken strap, silver chain and cellphone were also found in their possession.
“The CIDC also tried to find the Zimbabwean national to learn how his jacket had come into the possession of the two men, but he could not be found.”
The suspects were arrested and detained at Claremont Police Station for possible possession of stolen property.
Later that day, Fourie added, security from the Vineyard Hotel in Frederick Road saw a man lying in front of a block of flats in Frederick Road.
The dead man was identified by CIDC as Matusa, who earlier had been seen walking, with the two suspects trailing him.
Francis and Jacobs are expected to reappear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court.
People’s Post was unable to confirm their next court date at the time of going to print last night.
