Accused in Khayelitsha mass murder says he wasn't there

One of two suspects arrested for the Khayelitsha mass murder of four people, including three children, at a barber shop in Site C, more than a week ago, says he has an alibi and footage will prove he was not at the scene.

Athule Mtsha and Sithisa Masiko appeared at the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court, for the third time, on Wednesday, in connection with the killing.

PICTURE: Pixabay

The two men face four counts of murder, 11 attempted murder, two counts of illegal possession of firearms, two counts of illegal possession of ammunition and a count of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

NPA spokesperson in the Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila, said the state agreed to provide video footage after the legal representative of one of the accused said it would show it was not him at the crime scene.

‘’The confirmed that it will provide the summary of facts which link the accused to the charges preferred against them, on 24 June 2024.’’

The case has been postponed to the 2nd and 5th of July for their bail application.

‘’The State will oppose this Schedule 6 bail application as it believes that their release will in all likelihood endanger public safety, they will commit Schedule 1 offences, will attempt to evade justice, interfere and intimidate witnesses. The State also believes that their release on bail will undermine the criminal justice system and the bail system and may lead public disorder,’’ said Ntabazalila.

Earlier the court issued an order, after media applied to record the proceedings, that the faces of the legal representatives and the State Advocate not to be published. It also ordered the faces of the accused not to be published due to the sensitive stage of the investigation.

‘’This may change at a later stage and the media may be required to bring another application when the situation has changed. This point was emphasised twice during the court sitting i.e. at the beginning of the case and at the end of the case. On 2 July 2024, the media is expected to set up 15 minutes before the start of the bail application. The court committed to adjourn the court to allow the media to set up as it does not want any disruptions during the proceedings,’’ said Eric Ntabazalila, NPA spokesperson in the Western Cape

The duo also appeared in a separate matter with four other co-accused for 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 has been postponed to 8 August for further investigation.

 

Done By: Mitchum George