‘We want him hanged’
After proceedings started much later than anticipated, the suspects finally made their appearance in front of a packed courtroom.
“He should be hanged!” and “Bring back the death penalty!” were some of the words uttered by upset members of the community before a 29-year-old man made his first court appearance in connection with the triple murder in Krugersdorp last month.
By the time court proceedings at the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court finally got underway, at about 2.45pm this afternoon, members of the media and public had learned that two suspects were to make an appearance.
The suspects have not yet pleaded and Magistrate Page postponed the case until 14 June for a formal bail hearing, pending further investigation. The suspects were charged with three counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances and three counts of murder.
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The 29-year-old suspect was arrested late on Thursday evening after a team of investigators was assigned to the murder cases of Anthony Scholefield, Kevin McAlpine and Hanle Lategan. The second suspect, aged 32, was taken into police custody on Thursday, 2 June.
“These arrests are the result of numerous hours of intensive investigation into the murder cases during the last four days,” West Rand Cluster Police spokesperson, Captain Appel Ernst confirmed.
Early on Monday morning, numerous community members showed up at the court to voice their concerns about the killings.
Amanda de Lange, Freedom Front Plus leader for the West Rand region, said in a statement to the News that Krugersdorpers want their town back. “We are demanding answers from the police. Their internal problems have shifted their focus. Krugersdorpers want their safety back; it is their constitutional right,” De Lange said.
During court proceedings, which started much later than scheduled, only the family of Anthony Scholefield was present. “We just want justice and closure,” Rowlan Scholefield told the News at the courthouse.
Numerous other important role-players, such as Alan Fuchs, Democratic Alliance Constituency Head of Mogale City and Gert Jonker, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Krugersdorp Community Policing Forum were at the proceedings.
The defence attorney for the 29-year-old suspect, Advocate Da Silva, told the magistrate that no photos or recordings of the case should be allowed since he fears for the safety of his client. He also claimed that the media does not report fairly on cases like these because they only want to sell newspapers.
Hawkins said it was his decision to make, but has decided not to let the media take photos or make recordings –only the charge sheet can be accessed by the media.
The News is also aware that the 19-year-old male has been released by police.
The News has the names of the accused, but has decided not to release it in order to protect the identity of their families.
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