The two men charged with the massacre of four people, including three children in Clarke Estate last year, will remain behind bars after one was denied bail and the other cannot afford to pay it.
Rowan Stuurman and Peter Nokewes made an appearance at the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court on Friday where they are facing four counts of murder and two of attempted murder.
The National Prosecuting Authority said Nokewes’ bail was denied, while Stuurman could not afford to pay bail. The NPA could not say what the amount was.
Both will remain behind bars and are expected back in court on 10 July.
The State is set to prove that the men had planned the shooting at the residence in Clarke Estate in Elsies River in September 2019, where little Toslin Samuels, 10, her brother, Malcom Junior aka MJ, aged 12, their cousin Adrian Alexander, 12, and family friend, Vineto “CJ” Africa, 19, were shot and killed.
DECEASED: MJ, Adrian, Toslin
The children’s two mothers told police that they managed to flee the Wendy house as the gunmen shot at them.
Both women were injured in the shooting and have since been placed in police protective custody.
Stuurman and Nokewes are also facing additional charges of the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
It is alleged that CJ and a friend, who was the boyfriend of one of the mothers, were members of the Young Ones gang, and had apparently received a death threat before the shooting.
VICTIM: Vineto ‘CJ’ Africa
The motive behind the shooting is believed to be driven by gang turf warfare between the Young Ones and the Terrible Josters gang.
During their bail applications, the accused claimed they were innocent and had been separate and with other friends at the time of the shooting.