Progress report requested in Mokopane shooter case
Johan Van Wyk faces six charges of attempted murder as well as a charge for the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, after a shooting incident in Geyser Street on March 4.
MOKOPANE –Â Accused shooter Johan van Wyk (54) made another appearance in the Mokopane Regional Court on Tuesday.
Van Wyk faces six charges of attempted murder as well as a charge for the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, after a shooting incident in Geyser Street on March 4. It is believed that shots were fired at random and that some of the bullets hit motorists travelling in their vehicles.
Among them is Cecil van Zyl, who was rushed to Polokwane for medical attention, as well as two other victims who survived with minor injuries. Van Zyl is scheduled to undergo a third operation on May 4, where her medical team will remove the remaining nine pieces of residue in her head.
Van Wyk initially faced two counts of attempted murder, but the other passengers in the vehicles have also opened counter cases against him and the attempted murder charges increased to six.
Bosveld previously reported on the incident after Van Wyk was arrested on March 14. At the time, 40 firearms were reportedly confiscated from his home. Police reports indicate that these firearms were unlicensed and thus a charge for the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition was added to his charge sheet.
Van Wyk was granted R5 000 bail on April 11 as his legal team argued that his current health conditions should be taken into consideration for his release. With this in mind and Van Wyk not being classified as a flight risk, as he has resided in Mokopane for the last 50 years, his bail conditions only include that he must attend all court proceedings.
Should he violate the court order, bail will be revoked and he will be taken into custody.
At his latest court appearance, the ballistic report was still unavailable and the court ordered that the state must provide a detailed report on the progress of the investigation against Van Wyk, at his next appearance on May 24. The defence team said they were satisfied with the postponement, but requested that this should be the final postponement.
