Emotions ran high outside the Orlando East Magistrate court as families and supporters gathered outside awaiting bail judgement for the six men accused of the Mdlalose tavern  massacre. They chanted songs and sprinkled intelezi, a muthi which is meant to chase away evil spirits outside court while demonstrating with traditional spears, shields and placards demanding that the accused be denied bail. 

A MASSACRE 

On July 10 2022, unknown trigger happy gunmen unexpectedly stormed into Mdlalose tavern at Nomzamo squatter, Soweto were patrons were drinking and watching TV and shot randomly at them. They used rifles and pistols to kill the patrons and 137 cartridges were found on the scene. Sixteen people died from the shooting and the majority of them were  from Umzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal. During a Lekgotla with police minister Bheki Cele the residents expressed their fears and frustration over safety in their area. Residents complained that police were deployed in the area for only two weeks but after that it was one gun shot after another as usual. 

FAMILIES FRUSTRATED 

 Euneth Dlamini who lost her son Sibongiseni Jokazi in the shooting told ZiMoja that the only promise that was kept by the government was to bury their children."They promised us a safer community but they never delivered. They said they would provide for us because we lost our bread winners but we have never gotten a single cent nor groceries from them. Social workers came once and that was it. Nothing is ever consistent with the government and like I had predicted they've already forgotten about us,' she said. Sihle Mkhize who lost four of his family members said he was disappointed with the constant back and forth that they are doing at court. He said they are not even allowed to be inside court and this makes him feel like the police are protecting the perpetrators. "I lost two brothers and two cousins from the Mjoli clan and despite my struggles I have to make sure that I come to court at every appearance so I can update the family back home. I want the accused to spend the rest of their lives in jail. I don't want them to be granted bail, none of these families do," said Mkhize. 

BAIL APPLICATION 

Four of the accused had provisionally abandoned bail. State prosecutor Inge Volgepath explained that accused number 3 had  applied for bail because he suffered a mild stroke and suffered from a toothache. "The defence for the accused is not in court therefore we can't finalise. The accused has also complained that he is not getting any medical attention for his illnesses. He said he is only getting ibuprofen and panado which are limited and help to a certain extent."

The matter has been postponed to Thursday and the state said they will reopen their case to present new findings for bail.