Africa-Press – South-Africa. One of the men who survived the Soweto tavern shooting that claimed 16 lives had nothing but ridicule for the alleged attackers when they claimed in court that police had assaulted them in custody.
Afika Sonzaba’s scars bear witness to the horror of the attack that happened at the Mdlalose Tavern in July. He was among the few people allowed into the courtroom where the matter was being heard.
Upon hearing that two of the five accused had claimed that police had severely assaulted them following their arrests last month, Sonzaba said: “They are lucky they are alive. My neighbours were killed. Police should have beaten them more.”
He was speaking outside the Orlando Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where the five men appeared for the 16 murders at the tavern, and three other murders reported this year at the Kliptown and Orlando police stations.
Jeffrey Rahlagane, who represents the men claiming to have been assaulted, told Magistrate Anthony le Roux that police had denied his client’s access to medical attention.
“I am happy with the news that the police assaulted them. Police should have beaten them more. They don’t deserve medical attention. They are lucky they are alive. Our neighbours and friends were killed on that night. Some of us live with scars caused by their guns,” Sonzaba said.
“Their sight in court brought back memories of that July night. Their sight brings pain to my body.”
Sonzabo claimed to have heard that some of the five men had confessed to the police.
He said:
“How can I look at my would-be killer? They were heavily armed with AK-47s and pistols. They were shooting randomly at us. They wanted to finish us off. I am lucky to be alive. I am going to continue coming to court. I want to see them being convicted,” he said.
130 AK-47 cartridges collected at scene
Sonzaba has a scar running from his waist to his chest. He was shot in the back with what he claimed was an AK-47 rifle.
The bullet exited through his stomach.
On that night, Sonzaba was playing snooker with his 21-year-old friend Nkcubeko Bucu, when heavily armed men stormed the tavern and opened fire with AK-47s and pistols.
Bucu sustained seven bullet wounds – three in his right thigh, three in his left arm, and one in his back.
The bullet that entered his back exited through his stomach.
Police Minister Bheki Cele earlier reported that officers had collected 130 AK-47 cartridges.
Le Roux ordered that the names and pictures of the accused should not be published.
The five men are provisionally facing 19 counts of murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and defeating the ends of justice.
One of the accused is a former Hawks investigator.
Police had earlier released the identities of Keletso Rabasotho, Tshepiso Elliot Radebe, Thabang Radikatara, Tshidiso Moleko, and Sarel Lehlanya Sello as the men behind the fatal Mdlaose Tavern shooting.
The accused are expected back in court on 8 November.
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