The man arrested at Bellville Melomed Hospital last week is not linked to the shooting of Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, according to police.
This emerged after the accused Fabian Cupido, 39, made his first court appearance on Monday at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court.
According to media reports, the man who was arrested in the hospital last week, had made an attempt on Booysen’s life, who is an alleged gang-kingpin, on Thursday evening.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Cupido was granted bail.
“Bail was set at R5 000 with conditions that the accused does not move from his residential address in Kraaifontein and if he wanted to do so he has to advise the investigating officer. The court also instructed him not to contact witnesses,” he said.
Ntabazalila said: “The presiding officer emphasised that due to misinformation spread by the media, the State never linked the accused to the shooting of Booysen.
"He, the accused is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, a charge to which he is not going to plead guilty.”
Police linked Cupido to a stolen car found at the hospital, after finding the car’s keys in his coat pocket. Police say the vehicle was stolen in Simon’s Town.
He said the accused submitted an affidavit in which he explained that he was employed.
“He submitted an affidavit in which he explained that he was employed and married for 12 years and that he has six dependants.”
The case has been postponed to November 28 for further investigation.
Booysen was hospitalised and had emergency surgery to remove four bullets.
This was the third attempt on Booysen’s life in under a year.
In May Booysen was shot in the neck in Ravensmead, while in
September his car was targeted in Sacks Circle, Bellville Industria. Booysen was not in the car at the time.
In the most recent attempt, at Cape Town International Airport, Booysen was shot four times just after 5am last Wednesday.