Lusikisiki massacre suspect was on parole – NPA
A man out on parole for murder has appeared in court in connection with the recent Eastern Cape massacre that claimed 18 lives.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says a man arrested in connection with the murder of 18 people in the Eastern Cape was out on parole for murder at the time of the massacre.
The man made his first appearance in the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court yesterday, in connection with the massacre, which left five others injured.
“Siphosoxolo Myekethe is facing 18 charges of murder and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm, an AK47 assault rifle. During his brief appearance in court, the accused elected to be represented by a Legal Aid attorney and expressed his intention to apply for bail.
“The prosecution will oppose bail against the alleged murderer, who has two previous convictions for escaping from legal custody and murder. He is currently out on parole for murder,” says NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali in a statement.
Myekethe is expected back in court later this month.
“The case has been remanded to October 15 for his further criminal profiling, a report from the Correctional Services Department regarding his parole status, and a possible bail application,” Tyali adds.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was among those who expressed his condolences to the families of the 18 people tragically killed in last month’s mass shooting in Ngobozana village, Lusikisiki.
The president also extended his sympathies to the survivors of the two separate attacks, which occurred on the same street and predominantly claimed the lives of women.
At the time, Ramaphosa assured the grieving families that SAPS had mobilised all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Earlier this week, the SAPS said investigations into the killings were at ‘an advanced but sensitive stage in relation to the arrest of the suspects linked to the gruesome murder of 18 family members and relatives in Lusikisiki last week’.
A multi-disciplinary team and detectives from specialised operational environments have been on the ground since last week, and significant progress has been made.
“To date, the joint provincial and national teams are working around the clock to apprehend the wanted suspects and maintain law and order in the affected areas,” the statement concludes. – SAnews.gov.za
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