Johannesburg – Security was tight at the Johannesburg Magistrate's court ahead of Sandile Mantsoe's bail application hearing on Wednesday morning.
Mantsoe was making his second appearance in relation with the murder of ex-girlfriend Karabo Mokoena.
Mokoena went missing on April 28, her disappearance becoming the subject of a social media trend as users searched for her whereabouts.
Her charred remains were discovered in a shallow grave in Lyndhurst, east of the city.
Following the discovery, Mantsoe was arrested and detained at the Sandton police station.
#SandileMantsoe is charged with premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice. @IOL @ReporterStar
— Khanyisile (@Khanyi_Seele) May 24, 2017
He allegedly confessed to killing and burning her body – a confession the police are yet to confirm.
Mantsoe's first appearance began on a chaotic note when EFF members disrupted court proceedings several times in protest over the ruling that no-one donning party regalia was allowed in the courtroom.
#SandileMantsoe defence argues that first appearance turned into circus because of media's presence. @IOL @ReporterStar
— Khanyisile (@Khanyi_Seele) May 24, 2017
This forced proceedings to come to a halt for a few minutes while the matter was resolved.
A dead-faced Mantsoe then finally made his appearance and had his charges read out to him.
He was charged with premeditated murder, which if convicted of, carries a life sentence.
#SandileMantsoe State says it wants media excluded as their presence can affect proceedings at a later stage. @IOL @ReporterStar
— Khanyisile (@Khanyi_Seele) May 24, 2017
Mantsoe also faces a second charge of defeating the ends of justice.
He is yet to plead.
Following his appearance, Mantsoe was remanded in custody at the Norwood Police Station, where he remained pending his bail application.
The State was vehement that bail would be opposed.