Suspect in Sanders case found in Zim

INLSA

Corrie Sanders. Picture: Bonile Bam

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Johannesburg - The Brits Magistrate's Court heard on Friday that a fourth suspect accused of murdering former world heavyweight boxing champion Corrie Sanders has been located in Zimbabwe, it was reported.

Advocate Matric Lephondo told the court the State believed the man would be able to help them locate the gun with which Sanders was shot, SABC radio news reported.

Lephondo reportedly told the court the State had contacted the relevant authorities to start negotiations to get the man and the firearm to South Africa.

He was speaking during an appearance by Zimbabweans Samuel Mabena, 27, Chris Moyo, 25, and Paida Fish, 19, on charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

They were arrested in Oukasie informal settlement, near Brits, on September 27, after police received a tip-off.

At the address, police found a cellphone, a vehicle key, a purse and cash believed to have been stolen during the robbery in which Sanders was shot.

A handbag, also thought to have been stolen in the robbery, was recovered at a second address.

Sanders was shot at the Thatch Haven Country Lodge, outside Brits on September 22, while attending the 21st birthday party of his nephew.

Three men stormed in and demanded that customers lie on the floor and hand over their valuables. They opened fire while fleeing. Sanders was hit in the hand and abdomen. He died in the Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria, the next day.

He won the World Boxing Organisation's heavyweight title in March 2003 by dropping Ukrainian Wladimir Klitsckho in the second round in Hanover, Germany. He retired five years later.

The case against the three men was postponed to August. They remain in custody.

Sapa