A suspect arrested for the killing of four people at a barbershop in Khayelitsha earlier this month denies that he has any involvement in the incident.
Also read: Barbershop shooting kills 3 children and 1 adult, leaves two minors injured
On 12 June, Western Cape police confirmed that two suspects, aged 24 and 28 were arrested in connection with a fatal shooting on 8 June, during which three children and one adult died.
A 30-year-old man and two children, aged 12 and 11, lost their lives, while three other children, aged between five and 15, were injured and had to be admitted to hospital.
The two men were also linked to nine attempted murders.
One of them, whose identity can not yet be revealed by order of the court, says he has an alibi to prove that he was not at the scene of the crime, Sowetan Live reports.
According to his legal representative, video footage will reportedly prove that he was not there. In response, the State agreed to provide the footage.
The men’s bail applications will be heard on 2 and 5 July.
However, the State plans to oppose the bail on the grounds that their release will ‘in all likelihood endanger public safety’. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said there was concern that the suspects ‘will commit schedule 1 offences, will attempt to evade justice, interfere with and intimidate witnesses.’
‘The state also believes their release on bail will undermine the criminal justice system and the bail system and may lead [to] public disorder.’
In addition, they are scheduled to appear with four other co-accused in a different case concerning the possession of a stolen vehicle.
‘The state asked for the matter to be postponed as three statements were still outstanding. The [investigating officer] also advised the court that fingerprints and DNA were lifted from the vehicle and they need to be analysed and a report obtained.’
This case will resume on 8 August for further investigation.
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Picture: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images