Alleged axe killer waits for psych exam

Published Jan 21, 2014

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Vereenging - A man who confessed to murdering three of his relatives and injuring three others has yet to go for mental observation, the Vereeniging Regional Court heard on Tuesday.

Magistrate Leon Ferreira told Lucas Masiya that he was still on a list waiting to be admitted to the Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital.

“You are number 69 on this list,” said Ferreira.

The State had suggested that Masiya be sent for mental observation after his confession.

Masiya, however, said he was not mentally ill.

Addressing Ferreira last week, he asked: “May I plead guilty now?”

The 25-year-old allegedly murdered his 60-year-old grandmother and two female relatives, aged 26 and 28, with an axe.

At the time the police said the two women relatives died on the scene, and the grandmother died on the way to hospital.

Two male cousins, aged 17 and 18, were critically injured.

Masiya allegedly attacked a six-year-old relative, but she escaped unharmed.

He allegedly fled, and was later arrested in Tembisa. The motive for the attacks was not known.

On Tuesday, he stood in the dock wearing the same grey sweater and blue jeans he wore to court last week. He had a beanie stuffed in his back pocket and leaned against the dock as he listened to the proceedings.

Masiya's newly appointed Legal Aid lawyer told the court that they would not be applying for bail.

The case was postponed to February 21.

Outside court, Eazy Sehloho, Masiya's uncle, said the family was struggling to come to terms with the death of their relatives.

“His mother is in pain,” said Sehloho.

“The girl (that Masiya allegedly attacked) is still receiving counselling.”

Sehloho said while they would be willing to forgive the accused, they did not want him back at home.

“He doesn't deserve to live with us. We can forgive him but that doesn't mean he must come back to stay with us.”

Sehloho said none of the family members had been to prison to visit Masiya since his arrest.

Sapa

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