Durban - Three men accused of brutally murdering former Southlands Secondary School principal Gona Pillay in September were denied bail by the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court.
Magistrate Steven Meyer could find no exceptional circumstances in granting the accused bail.
During their bail applications earlier this week, the court heard that all three men have had run-ins with the law.
Intern estate agent Basil Underhill, 24, had a pending case of fraud.
His 23 year old cousin, Braveman Underhill, has previous convictions of fraud and assault and Fred Boy Msomi, 30, is on parole for armed robbery.
The trio were arrested following the September 20 murder of Gona Pillay, 66, and the attempted murder of her husband Loga, 68.
The couple were attacked in their Silver Cresent home.
At that time Basil was an intern estate agent at Pam Golding Properties and was in the process of selling the couple's home.
Prosecutor Thandeka Ngcamu told the court that there was public outcry, and if the accused are granted bail they could interfere with state witnesses.
Ngcamu also argued that the men were flight risks.
A resident from the Crossmoor Policing Forum, Rosalyn Marimuthu, told POST she was happy with the judgment.
The case was adjourned to November 13 for further investigation.
All three are being held at Westville SAPS.