Ocean View suspects let go, as case struck off the roll

The case against two suspects that was arrested in connection with the Ocean View mass shooting, dealt a blow as the case was struck off the roll

The duo appeared in the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila, said the Magistrate struck the case off the roll after one of the accused’s legal representatives protested that the men were not brought before the court within 48 hours of their arrest as is required by law.

‘’Kindly be advised that due process in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act was followed by SAPS to ensure that the two suspects were brought before court to face charges of murder.   The reasons for the case being struck from the court roll are best addressed by the NPA. The case is still under investigation and our detectives are hard at work to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book,’’ said Colonel Andrè Traut, SAPS Provincial Commander.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape’s Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen, expressed his dismay in relation to the news that this matter has been trucked off the court roll.

‘’I have already written to the [provincial] Police Commissioner, Lt. General Thembisile Patekile, to enquire what exactly transpired in this particular case, exactly when the accused were arrested and if they were kept in custody beyond the mandatory 48 hours, and if that was the case then why were they not brought before the court.

‘’The arrest of the two suspects brought much needed hope that the suspects will see swift justice were it to be found that they were indeed guilty of committing this crime. I have already also engaged and sent communication to the NPA to get a better sense of this matter from the court’s perspective,’’ added Reagen Allen, Western Cape’s police Oversight & Community Safety MEC.

PICTURE - Marcellino Martin: Bush Radio's mitchum George with MEC Reagen Allen

Done By: Mitchum George