Wynberg court shooting a ‘revenge murder’, says NPA as second suspect arrested and security ramped up

The fatal shooting of a 50-year-old man inside the Wynberg Regional Court last week is believed to be a revenge murder, while a second suspect has been arrested.

The alleged mastermind, Shireen Matthews, made her first appearance at the court on Monday.

The 35-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday by members of the South African Police Service’s (Saps) Western Cape Serious Violent Crime Detectives.

Her arrest is connected to the murder of the 50-year-old taxi operator from Vrygrond on Tuesday, 8 April.

Wynberg court shooting a revenge murder

The victim was gunned down while attending a court session related to a murder case in which he was the accused.

Graphic images of the deceased, slumped over a bench in the court’s corridor, circulated on social media.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila told the media outside court that the case was postponed to 23 April to give the state more time to collect information in preparation for Matthews’ bail application, gather more evidence, and confirm the case schedule in line with the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).

“We believe that at this stage it’s a Schedule 6 [offence],” he said.

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Ntabazalila said the state is pursuing a Schedule 6 offence, as Matthews allegedly organised and recruited members of the notorious Junky Funky Kids (JFK) gang to assassinate the 50-year-old man.

“At this stage, it looks like it’s a revenge murder and that he was allegedly involved in the assassination of another [gang] member, which happened last year,” he added.

A provisional date of 23 May has been set for Matthews’ bail application.

More arrests expected

Meanwhile, Western Cape police confirmed the arrest of a second suspect in connection with the murder.

Deputy provincial commissioner for crime detection Bongani Maqashalala told the media on Monday that the police are looking for six suspects.

“We have arrested the second person, who at this time is being subjected to investigation. Then we have identified four people. We are following them,” he said.

Maqashalala also mentioned that security at the Wynberg Regional Court has been increased as Saps’ crime intelligence division conducts a threat assessment.

READ MORE: Women charged for Wynberg court shooting that left one dead

“Due to the preliminary threat assessment that we are having, we decided to beef up the security at this court. 

“We are going to look at others because we don’t want anything of this nature.”

The commissioner said the police would engage with the Department of Justice, as access control falls under its responsibility.

“All we do as Saps is to ensure that there is order in the courtrooms and also to ensure that the prisoners are secured.”

Police deployed to Vrygrond

The ongoing conflict between local taxi operators and the JFK gang has prompted further police deployment in Vrygrond.

“We have increased deployment in that area and we have recovered a number of firearms. The last one was recovered yesterday,” Maqashalala said.

He added: “At this point in time, I cannot indicate or give the exact number of the people that have been killed or that have been injured.”

Reports suggest that more than 10 individuals have been killed in Vrygrond in recent weeks.

The violence has intensified since the assassination of JFK gang leader Ashley “Essie” Phillips, who was shot dead on 30 January.

Phillips was reportedly on his way to sign his parole register at the Brackenfell police station in Cape Town at the time of his death.

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