Ex-cop in hospital shooting told court he suffers from depression

The former police officer involved in the New Somerset hospital shooting told the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday that he suffers from severe depression and is suicidal.

Jean-Paul Carl Malgas appeared at court in legs shackles and handcuffs on charges of three counts of murder, illegal possession of a firearm, ammunition, and robbery.

Police told the court that he was restrained because of safety concerns regarding the crime he committed.

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Hospital fatal shooting

Malgas was arrested after he shot another police officer and two patients at the New Somerset Hospital.

According to the Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo, the police officer had taken a suspect for medical attention when he went to check on an altercation taking place in another ward.

The accused allegedly obtained the police officer’s firearm and shot the cop in the head before turning the gun on two patients.

Nurses calmed the shooter before sedating him and recovering the firearm.

Abandoned bail application

Advocate Adenaan Gelderbloem said the state would oppose bail but the 39-year-old said he will abandon his bail application, according to a statement by the Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.

No pictures of the accused are allowed to be taken as they still need to conduct an identity parade.

“The state also advised the court that it is still waiting for the postmortem report, ballistic report and witness statements,” said Ntabazalila.

His next court appearance will be on 30 June 2022, allowing for further investigations to take place.

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