Cape Town - While five men accused of murdering six Ocean View residents will be behind bars for Christmas, the fear-stricken community will be praying for peace.
Taswell Koopman, 24, Mario Present, 23, Tyron Taylor, 35, and Carl Barendilla, 25, made their first appearance on Thursday at the Simons Town Magistrate’s Court.
The four face charges of murder relating to a shooting that claimed the lives of newlyweds Leonardo and Shannon Fortune, both 31, at Pypie Court on December 5.
A third victim, Kim Roberts, 35, who was wounded in the same incident, died a day later in hospital.
Police arrested the suspects a week after the attack.
In a separate case, 35-year-old Enrico Esterhuizen is believed to have wiped out Mari Engelbrecht, 50, her daughter, Chantelle Engelbrecht, 29, and her step-father Henry Patterson, 60, at their home in Mars Street on December 12.
He was arrested in Wynberg two days after the shooting.
On Thursday, Ocean View community leaders and residents lined the court benches, eager to see the suspects’ faces.
People called for no bail to be granted, and for an end to gang violence in the area.
Esterhuizen took the stand first and was told by State prosecutor William Daniels he was not cooperating with police.
Daniels told the court: “The accused isn’t complying with the police to carry out a swab for DNA.
“We will make a request for this to take place.”
But Esterhuizen claimed cops had carried out fingerprinting twice since his arrest.
Esterhuizen asked the judge: “Why do they need to take my fingerprints twice? This morning the detective took it again.”
Esterhuizen’s case was postponed to December 23 for DNA reports and a legal representative to come on record.
When Koopman and his co-accused took the stand, they all agreed private attorney Kayleigh Delvin would represent them.
Some of the accused appeared nervous while others greeted family and friends that had come to support them in court.
Delvin’s request for a postponement to December 28 for a bail application was granted.
Outside court, Ocean View ward councillor Patricia Franke said their community was gripped with fear.
Patricia said: “No-one wants to speak out because they may be the next victim.
“What is happening is sad as these are family people, innocent victims, and we do not know why these people are being wiped out.
“We don’t know who is next.
“There will probably be some peace over Christmas as people are too afraid to walk around.”
Daily Voice
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