Philippi mass murder accused drop bail bid
Three suspects settle on staying innie mang
Three suspects in the horrific Philippi mass murder case have abandoned their bail applications, while two juvenile co-accused will face court again in November. The five are charged with killing seven people who were shot and then set alight.
Image: Chevon Booysen
Three suspects accused in the brutal Philippi mass murder — where seven people were shot, killed, and set alight — have abandoned their Schedule 6 bail applications at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
The two remaining accused — both juveniles aged 16 and 17 and who cannot be named — will return to court on 6 November for their bail applications.
Sinothando Songca, 18, Kuhle Webu, 22, and Asavela Tshaya, 21, together with their juvenile co-accused, each face nine criminal charges.
They were arrested on 23 October, days after the mass shooting occurred on 17 October.
The seven men were shot and killed at a home on Road 53, Better Life.
According to information, after they were shot and killed, the suspects had allegedly picked up bullet casings, poured paraffin in the home, and set the property alight.
The local community policing forum (CPF) said the incident may be linked to ongoing extortion activities, noting that several Somali-owned shops had closed earlier in the week.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed they are each charged with seven counts of murder, defeating the administration of justice, and arson.
The court heard that one of the juveniles will remain detained at the Pollsmoor juvenile section, while a place of safety was secured for the other juvenile until their next court appearance.
'We don't want bail for these people,' declared a family representative who travelled from the Eastern Cape, where the victims had originated before coming to Cape Town seeking work.
Image: Chevon Booysen
A family member of the slain victims said they travelled from the Eastern Cape to attend the matter as they opposed the bail release of the accused.
Zongezile Hlakanyane said: “We are a family from the Eastern Cape from the Pondo region. We don’t want bail for these people. The victims were young individuals who came here seeking employment to support their families back in the Eastern Cape.