Angry families and their supporters vowed to make Soweto ungovernable and petrol bomb the court building should accused number 3 in the Nomzamo case be granted bail. The accused is a former Hawks member and applied for bail whilst the rest provisionally abandoned bail. On Wednesday the court stated that he was allegedly hit by a mild stroke and not given proper medical treatment in prison.
ANGRY AND FEARLESS
Residents blocked the court's main gate when the inyala carrying the six suspects wanted to leave the premises.They pushed the gate until one side became loose. They were demanding that the suspects be released into their hands. Despite heavy police presence, they stood firm and showed no sign of fear nor retreat. One of their community leaders had to beg them to cool off in order to avoid police using maximum force on them. He asked the residents to disperse so they can meet in their community for a way forward, regarding the matter being being transferred to a different court.
VIOLENT THREATS
Thembalakhe Jaxa, who is a community leader, said they are not happy with the decision taken by the court to be moved to the Joburg Regional Court. He said it was not fair that criminals are being protected yet they have lost their children. "We understand that court processes need to be followed, I see that there's a possibility that they will be granted bail but if it were us in a foreign country, we wouldn't get bail. But let the court do as they please they will see what we are made of," he said. Thembalakhe said he tried to speak to the community to refrain from threatening the families of the accused because they were not the real murders. "The people we want are in jail and their families have nothing to do with this but we don't want to see them in court. If we are able to keep calm, the court will proceed because this is a waste of time for all of us." Harriet Mjoli, who lost two sons in the shooting, said the reason for the court to move the matter is to merely frustrate them. " They don't want us to get support but we will organise our own transport. My sons left me with their children and I have to be responsible for them because their mothers dumped them. I don't have money, we need assistance from the government." Harriet said she hopes accused number 3 won't get bail because he is the cause of this mess. "He is the one who hired all these kids because he has money, how can they let the mastermind go, he will never ever be found should he be released." The six accused are allegedly behind the the killing of 16 patrons who were drinking and watching a game of rugby at Mdlalose's tavern in July 2022.
