Durban - The highly anticipated bail application of notorious gang members Derrick Williams and Sibongiseni Mariken was delayed yet again amid much drama at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Initially, it was expected that only Williams would be applying for bail, as Mariken, who was shot in the head in a gun battle with police, was believed to be in a critical condition in hospital.
However, investigating officer Robin Mays dropped a bombshell at the start of the bail proceedings on Thursday, saying that Mariken was being discharged and was “mobile”.
Magistrate Miranda Boikhutso decided she would deal with Williams’ and Mariken’s bail applications together, and the case was temporarily adjourned to allow Mays to fetch Mariken from hospital and transport him to court.
Late on Thursday afternoon, Mariken walked into court unassisted, sporting multiple abrasions to his head and face.
While being addressed by the magistrate about whether he was able to participate in his bail application, he collapsed on the bench in the dock.
According to Mariken’s attorney, Bongani Cele, Mariken still has bullets lodged in his head and body, and suffered several fractures.
Prosecutor Patty David told the court the State had been caught off guard with Mariken’s discharge from hospital.
“The State is not able to proceed with the bail application as Warrant Officer Mays has to compile a bail affidavit in respect of Mr Mariken,” David said.
The magistrate adjourned the matter until May 24.
However, on request by Williams’ advocate, Martin Krog, the magistrate ordered that if Mariken was still not physically well enough to participate in the bail application next week, the cases would be separated.
Mariken was remanded to the prison hospital for further treatment.
Williams and Mariken are charged with five counts of attempted murder of police officers, the attempted theft of a vehicle on April 30 in Townbush Road in the upmarket Montrose suburb in Pietermaritzburg, as well as the unlawful possession of three firearms and ammunition.
Both Williams and Mariken were injured in a shoot-out with police on the day of their arrest, while the gang’s alleged ringleader and Williams’ brother, Ian Williams, and another gang member, Zwazi Ngubo, were shot dead.
The State on Thursday confirmed that Derrick Williams and Mariken would also be charged with these murders as they fought a gun battle with police knowing the police and their cohorts could be killed.
The gang is believed to be linked to an estimated 100 business robberies and car thefts in the Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas since January.
Williams’ supporters and family members told the Daily News on Thursday they were “sick of the dirty lies” the media was spreading about the Williams brothers.
“This is destroying our family. We are being victimised as family members by the police and the media,” said Williams’ aunt, who declined being named.
Daily News