Gauteng Police Commissioner General Elias Mawela said he is confident that they arrested the right suspects in the Nomzamo tavern shooting despite the matter being withdrawn by the court. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Monday that the matter against the six suspects charged with the shooting of the 24 patrons, killing 16, at the tavern in July last year was withdrawn as there was no prospects of a successful prosecution.  

THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED

Mawela said they intend to rectify the NPA claims that there was no cooperation from the police. "We have noted what the NPA has said, about the police not cooperating with them hence their decision to withdraw the matter. Whatever deficiencies that they say we've done we'll rectify. We are confident that we've got our suspects. We are going back to court, the killing of the 16 patrons was not in vain. Somebody will account and I am confident that some of the accused that were released will be back in prison. It is just a matter of filling in gaps from our side," said Mawela. 

FAMILIES SAY THEY WILL NEVER HEAL

The families of the massacre victims told ZiMoja that they were left shaken and in disbelief, after they heard that their loved ones' alleged killers were freed. They had been attending the court case religiously with consistent support from community members. At some point they threatened to take the matter into their own hands should the accused be granted bail. On two occasions they posed a security threat to all the court officials and the matter had to be transferred to the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court because the judge feared for his life. Harriet Mjoli, whose two children Luyanda(19) and Sthembiso Mjoli (30) died on that fateful night said she could not believe it when he heard the accused were let off the hook. " I don't even understand how they were let out after killing so many people. I got sick after I heard. I cried the whole day and my children had to take me to the clinic," she said. She added that she was never okay since her children were murdered as she is unemployed and has to support four grandchildren who lost their fathers during the massacre. "I've lost hope in our justice system, they've dismally failed us," she added.

FAMILIES BLAME CORRUPTION FOR THE WITHDRAWAL

Siphumelelo Mngonyama whose brother Philani Mngonyama was also murdered, blamed corruption and bribery for the withdrawal of the matter. "This is plain corruption, clearly there are big names with a lot of money involved. If more blood is spilled, the government should blame itself," he said. MaBlues Nzimande who also lost his brother Menzi Ngubane(26) said the withdrawal of the case does not make sense. "On what grounds were they let out? Somebody needs to take accountability. Honestly, I'm defeated, my heart bleeds, it's clear we are on our own," said Nzimande.