Five accused in KwaZakhele mass shooting abandon bail

The five men accused of killing eight people in a mass shooting in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha, at the end of January this year, have abandoned their bail applications.

How it happened: KwaZakhele mass shooting tragedy

The accused appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 19 April for their bail hearing in connection with the mass shooting that led to the death of eight people.

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According to police, two armed men entered a house in Maqanda Street, KwaZakhele, and opened fire on guests attending a birthday celebration on 29 January.

The shock mass shooting which left four men and three women dead, led to a visit by Police Minister Bheki Cele to the area in March.

A total of 11 people were shot during the attack. Seven people were certified dead on the scene while the eighth victim succumbed to his wounds in hospital. and three others sustained serious injuries.

First suspect arrested in March

Vusumuzi Sishuba, who was celebrating his birthday with his brother Andile, was among those killed.

The suspects – Mzwandile Mahambehlala, Siyabulela Funde, Luzuko Tsotsi, Luyanda April, and Sinaye Tyeni – are facing eight counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Mahambehlala was the first suspect to be arrested on 3 March in a house in Gqeberha’s Walmer township.

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His four co-accused were arrested weeks later in Peelton, near eQonce (formerly King William’s Town).

Court appearance: No reason for abandoning bail

During their court appearance on Wednesday, the presiding magistrate was informed that the accused had decided to abandon their bid to be released on bail.

No reasons were given for their decision to reject bail.

Community concern prompts identity parade of mass shooting suspects

The matter was postponed last week so that an identity parade could be conducted for the formal bail application. The accused also needed time to get legal representation.

The State was planning on opposing the suspects’ bail application.

The case was postponed to 13 June 2023 amid concerns from the victims’ families and some community members that the wrong suspects were nabbed in connection with the mass shooting.

However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) maintains it has enough evidence linking the accused to the case.

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