A Cape Town family expressed their disappointment after they were denied access to the courtroom in which the man accused of killing Nadia Lotz appeared on Tuesday.

Charles Appolis appeared in the Strand Magistrate's Court for the murder of his partner, Nadia. She was killed following an argument, and later Appolis handed himself over to the police after Nadia's brutal death.

The National Prosecuting Authority's spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, said the case was postponed to 14th August for a regional court date.

Reports indicate Lotz's family was not allowed inside to witness proceedings, but they were held in a container courtroom.

Nadia's heartbroken father Hendrik Lotz, said he could not understand why he was not allowed in, to hear what the magistrate said to the accused.

He said they have every right to be inside the courtroom and that it is unfair that even him as the father was not allowed to go inside."

On the other hand, residents in the same province fear for gang retaliation after five women were shot dead.