A 31-year-old ex-policeman who allegedly went on a rampage killing four people in Postmasburg near Kimberley in the Northern Cape, appeared in the Danielskuil magistrate's court on Tuesday.
The suspect, who had just completed a six-month jail term for fraud, allegedly killed four people on Monday night after he held a policeman at a local station at knife-point and demanded a gun.
Two of the people he allegedly wounded were still in a very serious condition, police said on Tuesday.
He allegedly also robbed three vehicle owners of their cars.
He has been kept in custody at the Kuruman prison and will again appear in court on July 22.
Superintendent Rita Crafford said police discovered another victim on Tuesday, increasing the injury toll from eight to nine.
The policeman the suspect allegedly held up was alone in the Community Service Centre and was at the time packing away his firearm into a safe before a shift change.
The suspect got hold of three weapons, including that of the duty officer, as well as ammunition and then went into the street where he started firing randomly at people.
Two people were killed instantly and the other two died shortly after arrival at hospital.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) congratulated police on putting their lives at risk and arresting him.
But Popcru also criticised the lack of manpower in the police service and called on the provincial, area and station management in the Northern Cape to rectify this problem.
Unemployed people could take over administrative functions in the police service, Popcru said.
The names of the dead are:
- James Dauth, of 33 Duvenhage Street. He was killed at Tom's Cafe. His age is not yet known.
- Bruce Bosman, 30, from the farm Groenwater, was killed while at Postmasburg Tavern.
- Ruben Holele, 28 of 577 Andrea Street, Boichoko, also died at Postmasburg Tavern.
- Donavan Olyn died in front of his vehicle in Newtown. His age is not yet known. - Sapa