Emotions ran high in the Queenstown regional court in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday during the appearance of murder accused Sabrina van Schoor, 22, and co-accused Feza Mdutshane, 27, charged with the contract killing of Van Schoor's mother Beverly.
Beverly van Schoor was found with her throat slit in her Queenstown home on March 22.
Sabrina van Schoor told the court that her family had physically abused her and that her mother had tried to prevent her from "mixing with people of other races".
The claim was emphasised by her attorney Siphiwo Burwana, who said Sabrina's deed was heroic as she had "liberated herself from oppression".
He also said that apartheid had to be blamed for the situation Sabrina had found herself in.
"She was rejected as she wanted to mix with other races - she needed to liberate herself from this monster or live in bondage for the rest of her life."
His statement was criticised by advocate Malherbe Marais, appearing for the state, who said it was irresponsible and "not the kind of a statement which should be advocated by a professional in court".
Judge Pondo Makaula, who presided, agreed with Marais and said there were "ethical standards we as people of the judiciary should adhere to".
Mdutshane's attorney, Livingstone Ciyane, said his client was a "responsible" man, who had co-operated with police, was employed and had been a "victim of circumstance" in the killing.
Furthermore, Ciyane said, Mdutshane financially supported his sister and should therefore be released on bail.
Marais, who opposed bail for both applicants, said it had been "a pre-planned, pre-meditated murder" and that it would not be in the public interest to release either of the accused.
He said the case should not be made into a political issue.
Investigating officer Inspector Stephen Rheeders said he objected to the granting of bail on the grounds that the community's interests were at stake.
He said both accused also knew the witnesses, including two accomplice witnesses.
At the time of Beverly van Schoor's murder, Mdutshane was out on bail on charges of attempted murder and armed robbery relating to an incident at Absa Bank in Queenstown.
Separate fraud charges involving an amount of R170 000 which went missing from Pam Golding Estates are being investigated against Sabrina van Schoor.
The case was postponed until Thursday for the decision on the bail applications. - Sapa