A Durban businessman's son and daughter were charged for his murder and that of his wife's at the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

The accused 20-year-old Hardus Johannes Lotter, his sister Nicolette Lotter (26), and a Phoenix resident Matthew Moodley (21), appeared briefly at the packed court on Wednesday for the murders of Johan Lotter (53), and his wife.

Bail was opposed and the case was remanded for seven days until 31 July.

Magistrate Corel Language said the Lotter siblings would remain in custody at the Westville police cells while Moodley would be held at the Cator Manor police cells.

Both siblings said they had opted for legal aid.

Language said the case was discussed with the Director of Public Prosecutions and it was decided that the matter would go to the Durban High Court within the next 10 days.

Both the blonde siblings were in court, which was packed with media, police as well as family.

Lotter and his wife were murdered in their home in Durban's Westville suburb last Saturday.

Lotter was the head of the Bayer/Lanxess chemical plant situated in Merebank's Tomango Road.

Naicker said the couple were at their home on Saturday night when their son opened the gate.

"The son thought he saw his sister's car and opened the electronic gate, but then two men in balaclavas confronted him and locked him in the bedroom," said Naicker.

The father was strangled while the mother was stabbed.

Sapa