Africa-Press – South-Africa. Court orderlies had their hands full at the Orlando Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday as they tried to control an angry crowd of people during the appearance of five men in connection with the widely publicised Soweto tavern massacre.
The crowd of people were mainly relatives of the 16 people who were gunned down at Mdlalose Tavern in Nomzamo Park in July.
They wanted to attack the accused and their anger intensified when they heard the accused’s claims that police had assaulted them after their arrest.
The lawyer representing accused one and two, Jeffrey Rahlagane, also alleged that police deprived his clients of access to medical attention.
“We wish to bring a bail application. A week, or a maximum of a two-week, postponement would work for us to bring a bail application. My clients complained to me during our consultation at the Johannesburg Prison of being assaulted by the police.
“They were not even provided with any medication, except pain tablets. They need to be seen and treated by a doctor or medical practitioner. I request a doctor see them in prison,” Rahlagane added.
Thapelo Khalo, who represents accused four and five, asked the State to complete annexures to the docket so that he could adequately consult with his clients.
Khalo said:
The lawyer for accused number three, JP Venter, said he put on record, on 26 September, that he didn’t have enough time to consult with his client.
“My client was forced to sign a statement when he didn’t know what it contained. We want to prepare ourselves for bail. I want the State to respond to my request for further particulars.
“Two weeks will be sufficient for the State to respond and provide us with the requested documents,” Venter added.
Initially, people in the public gallery were quiet. But, after Magistrate Anthony le Roux postponed the case, they started to hurl insults at the accused as armed officers escorted them out of the courtroom.
The crowd also threatened to avenge the murder of their loved ones if the men were released on bail.
Outside the court building, people charged at the police vehicles that transported the men back to prison. But the police pushed back.
The crowd accused the police and lawyers of taking sides and asked that the men be released to them.
Multiple charges
The five men are provisionally charged with 19 counts of murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice. Sixteen of the murders occurred at Mdlalose Tavern and the other three were reported at the Kliptown and Orlando police stations.
Le Roux gave an order prohibiting the publication of the names and pictures of the accused.
The shooters allegedly used an AK-47 and pistols, according to survivors.
Police Minister Bheki Cele later visited the scene and said more than 130 AK-47 cartridges were found there.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
