Six accused abandon bail in Malcolm Pather murder case

Six of the accused, one of whom is an alleged prostitute, are believed to be behind the kidnapping and murder of Cape Town father, Malcolm Pather, whose body was found burnt beyond recognition earlier this year, have abandoned their bail application.

Six of the accused have opted to remain behind bars while one of the female accused, the apparent sex worker, is focused on continuing her bail application.

The state is set to prove that the group - alleged gang members and prostitutes - apparently lured Pather in July 2025.

He was last seen alive on July 13, 2025, leaving his home in his blue BMW. The accused are: Stacey-Lee Hector, Wade Van Reenen, Igshaan Abrahams, Kyle Francis, Courtney Nortje, Paul Solomons and Zainoediden Greeff.

The group made an appearance at the Atlantis Magistrates' Court this week. State prosecutor, Advocate Alfred Isaacs, is set to oppose Nortje's bail bid which is set to take place on February 12, 2024.

The six other's cases will resume on April 10, 2026, for further investigation.

The state aims to prove that the group operated as a syndicate with a common purpose and upon conviction of this murder may face life imprisonment.

The two female accused, who are alleged prostitutes, apparently lured the deceased to a Table View address for sex. The deceased was then allegedly robbed of his cellular phone, money and BMW vehicle, and subsequently killed at this residence.

The state will further lead their case that, following the murder, his hands were tied behind his back and he was taken in his own vehicle to a road in Mamre, Darling, where a burnt deserted bakkie stood. They allegedly put the deceased on the back of the bakkie, poured petrol on him and burnt his body.

The State contends that the deceased was the only parent to his twelve-year-old daughter. It is also further alleged that accused number three Igshaan Abrahams is a gang leader who belongs to the American criminal gang and that the other male accused with him also bear tattoos of the same gang.

The Senior State Advocate Isaacs from DPP Cape Town said POCA charges might be added in future and the case might be tried in the High Court

According to the charge sheet, the accused is alleged to have on or about 13-14 July 2025 near Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, unlawfully and intentionally deprived Malcolm Pather of his freedom by tying his hands and placing him in a vehicle's boot and intentionally killed him, unlawfully stole his vehicle and were found in possession of it.

It is further alleged that they unlawfully and intentionally defeated or obstructed justice by removing the deceased from the murder scene and burning his body to prevent identification.

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