THE community of KwaZakhele in Gqeberha protested outside the New Brighton Magistrates Court on Monday, 6 March.
They accused the police of arresting the wrong person for the KwaZakhele mass killing.
However, the arrested suspect (33) faces eight murder and three attempted murder charges after 11 people were shot dead while attending a birthday celebration in Maqanda Street.
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The dead are the homeowner, Vusumzi Sishuba and his brother Andile, Kholekile France, Liyema Poro, Mbuyiseli Mboya, Nandipha Koliti, Nomatamsanqa Mandla and Thando Fibhi. Three other people sustained serious injuries.
The suspect cannot be identified because of an outstanding identification parade.
His case was postponed to 13 March for a lawyer appointment and for a formal bail application.
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Five other suspects who are linked to the cold-blooded shooting remain at large.
One of the protesters who refused to be named said: "The alleged suspect is not a violent person. He would not even kill a fly, so the police must not use him as a scapegoat.”
Nelson Mandela Bay District commissioner, Major-General Vuyisile Ncata, said: “As the police, we are sure we have arrested the correct person. That is why we managed to bring him to court. People must wait for the courts to decide, because we believe we have done our work and that's why we took some time to solve this case.
“I am grateful for the arrest that our task team has made and their effort to ensure a breakthrough in the case. It has strengthened our resolve that we would eventually find the killers so that we are able to establish the motive. Let the outstanding fugitives be found sooner so that the victims' families can find closure."
