Three men arrested for the murders of Rand Water executive, Teboho Joala, and his bodyguard, Sifiso Shange, have appeared in court.

The trio appeared in the Lenasia Magistrates Court in Soweto on Monday morning.

Joala and Shange were killed in January in front of hundreds of primary school learners at Zakariyya Park, south of Joburg, during a back-to-school campaign.

Amid a packed public gallery and a heavy police presence, the three suspects strolled into court, shackled at the ankles.

Khulekani Mduli, Zamokuhle Ntombela and Lindani Mtshali were arrested last week in KwaZulu-Natal by Gauteng police.

Police linked the trio to the murders of Joala and Shange after arresting another individual last month, who was found in possession of a suspected murder weapon.

Ayanda Ngwenya was arrested in March after being found in possession of a firearm believed to have been used in the commission of Joala and Shange's murders.

The case against the trio has been postponed to Monday for a formal bail application.