Durban — Two of the three accused suspected to be linked to a mass shooting in Savannah Park that claimed seven lives appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court, where the matter was adjourned to next year for further investigation.
Njabulo Mchunu, 31, and Comfort Ngubo, 22, appeared on Friday in court, where the State requested an adjournment as the ballistics report was still outstanding in the matter.
Mchunu and Ngubo, had initially been granted bail alongside their co-accused Nicolas Sphamandla Hadebe, 24, in August.
Five days after their release on bail, Hadebe was killed. He was gunned down allegedly by men who arrived at a house in Wyebank in a white Ford double cab with a police registration plate, which was suspected to be fake.
Ngubo and Hadebe were out on R8 000 bail each while Mchunu’s was set at R10 000. Ngubo and Hadebe were charged with possession of a firearm without a licence, Ngubo was allegedly found in possession of a 9mm pistol as well as 17 rounds of live ammunition, and Hadebe was allegedly found in possession of a shotgun and 24 rounds of ammunition on August 2.
The three were said to have been linked to the shooting in Savannah Park after the eThekwini mayor announced, at the time he visited the bereaved family, that three suspects were arrested.
On the day of the alleged shooting, gunmen opened fire at Siqhopholozi tuck shop in Savannah Park, killing tuck shop owner Bhekumuzi Mzobe, his nephews Siboniso Mzobe and Sanele Khenisa, Phumlani Mpithimpithi, Sphamandla Shezi, Siyakudumisa Mtshengu and a seventh person who died later in hospital.
The two men last appeared after Hadebe’s killing on a different day to that which the matter had been adjourned for in September.
The State at the time, before asking that the case be adjourned for further investigation, said the matter was before the court at the request of the defence, adding that ballistics were outstanding in investigations.
Their legal counsel, Mthokozisi Mazibuko, confirmed the matter was before the court at his request “for safety reasons”, and said he had discussed this with the senior prosecutor.
The two men charged with the alleged murder of Hadebe are also due back in court before the end of this month.
They will not be named for their safety. This is also compounded by information the Daily News has that there was an attempt on their lives last month while they were outside the Pinetown police station.
The alleged attempt on their lives saw the men having to come to court also ahead of their adjournment date to deal with certain bail conditions. This was just nine days after they were granted bail of R20 000 each.
One person died when the alleged attempt on the men’s lives took place in broad daylight opposite a Pinetown High School.
Daily News