THE five Rehoboth men accused of killing a neighbour over a cigarette were refused bail this week.

Magistrate Gibson Imbili was not satisfied that it would be in the public interest to release Piet Cloete, his sons Johan and Albert, the sons' cousin Charlton Forbes and another neighbour, Romano Maasdorp, on bail pending their murder trial.

The men applied for bail in the Magistrate's Court in Rehoboth last Friday. Raynold Cloete (28) was stoned and stabbed to death about five months ago. It is alleged that he was killed after a fight over a cigarette broke out between him and one of the Cloete brothers. The accused have been in custody since their arrest shortly after the murder.

It is understood that Piet Cloete has also allegedly threatened the father of the deceased. The five men are allegedly notorious for their violent behaviour in the town's Block F area. The men are expected to plead to the murder charge on Monday, August 30.

Public Prosecutor Victor Kwenani represented the State during the court proceedings, while the five men were represented by Winnie Christians. The men have apparently indicated that they would like to appeal against Imbili's ruling.