Nine Mdantsane men, allegedly part of a gang known as the Pitbulls, appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges related to a stabbing spree earlier this month.
Three men abandoned their bail applications yesterday, opting to await trial in jail.
The Daily Dispatch team was threatened in the courtroom before proceedings started by eight of the men, who swore and gesticulated when their photographs were taken.
The men are accused of murdering one person and injuring about 20 others.
The youths, ranging in age from 17 to 23, each face a charge of murder and charges of robbery of a business, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and being in possession of stolen property.
In the dock were nine of the 10 suspects arrested by the Mdantsane police. They are believed to have gone on a stabbing and robbing rampage at a popular NU16 hangout, the AMG bar and grill, on March 7.
Following the mayhem at AMG, the group allegedly killed 20-year-old Tembani Bojana in front of his family and friends while he was trying to fix a broken vehicle at the roadside in NU16.
The 10th suspect, a 17-year-old who cannot be named because he is a minor, did not appear in court yesterday as he was released into his parents’ custody at the weekend and will appear later.
Another minor appeared in court yesterday with his father, and remained out of custody while his co-accused were remanded in custody yesterday.
Lebo Mabi, Nkosikhona Dike and Xola Neke said they would not apply for bail when magistrate Donna-Jane Marais raised the matter.
Before the court sitting, the group filled the dock and tried to avoid having their photographs taken by the Dispatch team.
Mabi threatened a Dispatch reporter shouting: “I wish I could grab you with my hands. I would show you.
“Why are you taking photos of us? I will come out of this place. We will get you!”
Police and lawyers tried to calm the situation, ordering the youths to “sit down” and “keep quiet and face the front”.
The other five – Lihle Ndimbongo, Azola Ndlazi, Sabatha Dana, Thanduxolo Majamani and Lutho Vinjwa – gave notice that they would apply for bail.
Marais told the accused who were not applying for bail that their case had been postponed to April 30 for further investigation. They would be joined in court by the 17-year-old suspect, with his parent.
Marais told the five bail applicants that their bail application had been postponed to March 31, and they were remanded in custody.
Moments after the announcement distraught family members and friends reached out to the suspects as they were led back to the cells.
Mothers gave their sons food, clean clothing, money and toiletries. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
VIDEO: Pitbull suspects in court
Three men abandoned their bail applications yesterday, opting to await trial in jail.
The Daily Dispatch team was threatened in the courtroom before proceedings started by eight of the men, who swore and gesticulated when their photographs were taken.
The men are accused of murdering one person and injuring about 20 others.
The youths, ranging in age from 17 to 23, each face a charge of murder and charges of robbery of a business, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and being in possession of stolen property.
In the dock were nine of the 10 suspects arrested by the Mdantsane police. They are believed to have gone on a stabbing and robbing rampage at a popular NU16 hangout, the AMG bar and grill, on March 7.
Following the mayhem at AMG, the group allegedly killed 20-year-old Tembani Bojana in front of his family and friends while he was trying to fix a broken vehicle at the roadside in NU16.
The 10th suspect, a 17-year-old who cannot be named because he is a minor, did not appear in court yesterday as he was released into his parents’ custody at the weekend and will appear later.
Another minor appeared in court yesterday with his father, and remained out of custody while his co-accused were remanded in custody yesterday.
Lebo Mabi, Nkosikhona Dike and Xola Neke said they would not apply for bail when magistrate Donna-Jane Marais raised the matter.
Before the court sitting, the group filled the dock and tried to avoid having their photographs taken by the Dispatch team.
Mabi threatened a Dispatch reporter shouting: “I wish I could grab you with my hands. I would show you.
“Why are you taking photos of us? I will come out of this place. We will get you!”
Police and lawyers tried to calm the situation, ordering the youths to “sit down” and “keep quiet and face the front”.
The other five – Lihle Ndimbongo, Azola Ndlazi, Sabatha Dana, Thanduxolo Majamani and Lutho Vinjwa – gave notice that they would apply for bail.
Marais told the accused who were not applying for bail that their case had been postponed to April 30 for further investigation. They would be joined in court by the 17-year-old suspect, with his parent.
Marais told the five bail applicants that their bail application had been postponed to March 31, and they were remanded in custody.
Moments after the announcement distraught family members and friends reached out to the suspects as they were led back to the cells.
Mothers gave their sons food, clean clothing, money and toiletries. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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