Supplied
The five men accused of killing eight people at a birthday party in Kwazakhele in Gqeberha earlier this year have abandoned their bail applications.
The accused, Mzwandile Mahambehlala, Luyanda April, Siyabulela Funde, Luzuko Tsotsi, and Sinaye Tyesi appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
They have been charged with killing brothers Vusumzi and Andile Sishuba, Kholekile France, Mbuyiseli Mboya, Nomatamsanqa Mandla, Liyema Poro, Nandipha Koliti, and Thando Fibi who died a few days later in hospital.
They are being represented by local attorney, Danie Gouws, who submitted three affidavits to court saying that he had opted for his clients not to take part in an identity parade.
He lamented the fact that his client's identities had been revealed by the media and this would not help his case.
Gouws also told the court that he was abandoning the bail applications, “for now”.
Magistrate Deirdre Dickson also gave an order allowing the media to take photos and video footage before and after the bail proceedings, in spite of the state opposing the media application.
Meanwhile, a group of people, who had gathered at previous court appearances, were outside court again displaying placards saying that police arrested the wrong men.
At their last court appearance, NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said, “The fact that we have enrolled the matter in this case, it means that we are satisfied with the evidence that is in the docket [and] that they have a case to answer,” he added.
The matter has been postponed to the 13 of June while the accused in the matter will remain in police custody.
ALSO READ: Men arrested for Kwazakhele birthday shooting pick same attorney
