A man, who was allegedly wearing the clothes and shoes of murdered Richmond centenarian Herbert James (Bob) Downs when arrested, appeared in the Richmond magistrate's court on Monday.
He was not asked to plead and his case was remanded to March 12 for further investigation.
Magistrate Marc Rijkenberg advised Sibusiso Dlamini, 27, of Bhongoza informal settlement, Richmond, that it was a high profile case and that he should apply for legal aid representation or brief his own attorney.
He said other men suspected of the murder and robbery of Downs, who turned 100 in September, were still being sought and Dlamini's release could hamper investigations.
A prosecutor said that an application for bail would be opposed.
Downs was fatally stabbed in his house on Friday.
None of his family was in court on Monday, although his daughter Denise Hawkins, who works in England, arrived on Sunday.
Dlamini's lips seemed swollen in court on Monday, apparently injured in the attempted robbery of another man who hit him with an axe shortly after Downs's murder.
Police said that Dlamini was a member of a gang which had tried to rob a man who defended himself with an axe and caused the assailants to flee.
The man told the police that he had injured one would-be robber.
A little later police were told that a person needed treatment and when police arrived they found Dlamini wearing clothes allegedly stolen from Downs.
Police then took Dlamini to Downs's son's house and he recognised his father's clothes and shoes.
It is believed that Dlamini was a member of a gang which had been terrorising people in the Richmond area.
Dlamini took the police to his home where the police found Downs's stolen TV set. - Sapa