Bulls prop Bees Roux's murder case is deferred to give investigators time

The murder case of a South African rugby player entangled in accusations of racism and police corruption was postponed yesterday after prosecutors asked for more time to investigate.

Magistrate Desmond Nair said that the case against Super 14-winning Bulls prop Bees Roux would be put back until 10 December but he also told investigators to speed up their work as they attempt to unravel what happened in the early hours of 27 August.

They are trying to fathom what led to the killing of a traffic officer in a street in South Africa's capital city.

Roux, 28, who won this year's Super 14 with Pretoria's Bulls, is accused of beating to death Tshwane metro police officer Sgt Ntshimane Mogale. Mogale, 38, was found lying in a road with serious head injuries after he allegedly pulled Roux over for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Wearing a striped cream shirt and black trousers, the powerfully built Roux appeared in a courtroom packed with metro police officers on Friday when his 100,000 rand (9,100) bail was extended by Nair.

In his first court appearance on 30 August, Roux's lawyer said his client intended to plead not guilty to murder. He is yet to formally enter a plea.

Also yesterday, a man accused of stealing two of Roux's credit cards from the scene where Mogale died appeared at the same court. Vusimuzi Ntloko's theft and fraud case was also postponed until 10 December.