Cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 27 other co-accused persons will be detained for a further 47 days, a Shanzu Magistrate Court has ruled.
Mackenzie and his co-accused have already spent more than 90 days behind bars.
Last Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecution filed an application to continue holding Mackenzie and his co-accused for further seven weeks to allow police to finish their investigation.
Mackenzie's lawyer Wycliff Makasembo dismissed the application, saying the Prosecution had failed to charge his clients.
However, Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate on Thursday said it is not reasonable to release the suspects before a thorough background check.
Shikanda said the DPP had submitted that Mackenzie and some of his co-accused have not known fixed abode rather than Shakahola, which has since been declared a disturbed scene.
"Where will they go to if released on bail or bond terms?," posed Shikanda.
He said he finds merits in the application by the DPP, therefore allowing police to hold the suspect for further 47 days.
"The 47 days detention will run from August 2," he said.
He also said the majority of suspects have failed to tell the court where their children or spouses are.
"This raises suspicion that the children or spouses could be among those whose bodies have been exhumed from Shakahola," he said.
At least 425 bodies have so far been exhumed and more graves have been identified.