A 19-year-old accused in a deadly mass shooting in Marikana informal settlement appeared in court and abandoned his bail application. The case, involving nine murder charges, has been postponed to April 16 for further investigation. Additional charges related to gang activity are expected.
In the Athlone Magistrate’s Court, a 19-year-old suspect connected to a mass shooting in the Marikana informal settlement on the Cape Flats made his appearance. The incident, which occurred two weeks prior, resulted in nine people being gunned down.
The accused faces multiple charges, including nine counts of murder. During the proceedings, he chose to abandon his application for bail. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila provided details on the postponement.
“The defense informed the court that the accused had abandoned his right to apply for bail. The state informed the court that it intended to add more POCA charges against the accused, as it has been found that he was a member of a gang called the Two Cs, who were in conflict with another gang in the Makaskavi area over extortion. His case has been postponed until the 16th of April for further investigation,” Ntabazalila stated.
This development highlights ongoing gang-related violence in the area, with the additional charges stemming from the accused's alleged involvement in extortion disputes.