Cape Town - The pre-trial of alleged feared “gang boss” Yanga Nyalara and three other suspects for their alleged involvement in Khayelitsha mass murders is set to commence in the Western Cape High Court on March 10.
Nyalara, Wandile Tofile, Manelisi Ngumla and Lundi Zweni made a brief appearance at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
They are facing 18 counts of murder, seven counts of attempted murder and six counts of contravention of the Firearm Controls Act.
They are also facing charges for the illegal possession of ammunition and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
State advocate Mervyn Menigo said the drug dealing charges which were in the charge sheet had been withdrawn.
Magistrate Ronel Oliver read a document which she was sent from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions Office which set out the charges the accused will face at the high court next year.
“This case will be heard by the Western Cape High Court. (If) there is any defence witness that you intend to call forward in the matter you’ll have to notify your defence counsel so that the persons can be subpoenaed. If these witnesses will be required, the judge that will be dealing with the matter must be notified timeously.
”You are once more informed that you have the right to a defence counsel and if you cannot afford a lawyer you still have the right to apply for legal aid for assistance in the trial. Whoever is going to represent you needs to be at the pre-trial conference, it’s very important that this aspect is dealt with. The sooner your legal representative is appointed the sooner a trial date will be appointed,” Oliver said.
The accused nodded their heads in response.
A notice for the pre-trial was handed to the accused’s attorney and the matter was formally transferred to the Western Cape High Court.
Cape Times