State drops charges against Taegrin accused

Published Nov 14, 2014

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Johannesburg - In yet another embarassment for the South African justice system, the suspected murderer of four-year-old Taegrin Morris has been released from custody.

At the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Friday morning, the enraged Reiger Park community heard that the charges against Thamsanqa Brutus Twala have been dropped.

Three months ago, the four-year-old was killed in a hijacking where he was dragged for kilometres out of the side of his mother’s stolen vehicle.

Earlier this month, police arrested Twala as the prime suspect in the hijacking and murder.

On Friday morning, the court was surrounded by razor wire set up by the SAPS, Ekurhuleni Metro Police and the police's tactical response team. This is because of outbursts in the court by Reiger Park residents at Twala's previous appearances, with threats to kill the man becoming commonplace.

The court was not given reasons for the withdrawal of charges, and Twala himself did not appear, prompting further anger from the volatile community members.

Screams and shouts erupted in court before those in the gallery were ushered out by officers.

Outside the courthouse, community leader, Hein April said Reiger Park residents knew Twala's home address, and if the National Prosecuting Authority did not explain their reasoning for dropping the charges, he could not promise Twala's safety.

Threats to kill Twala and his own children were also heard in the angry crowd.

Attempts to contact the NPA for comment on Friday morning have so far been unsuccessful.

The Star

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