THE case against the five suspects who are allegedly linked to the KwaZakhele mass murder has been postponed so an identity parade can be done.
Mzwandile Mahambehlala, Siyabulela Funde, Luzuko Tsotsi, Luyanda April, and Sinaye Tyesi appeared in private (on camera) in the Port Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 12 April.
The five suspects face murder and attempted murder charges after they were arrested in connection with the killing of eight people during a birthday celebration in KwaZakhele on 29 January.
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Vusumzi Sishuba, who was celebrating his birthday at his home and his brother, Andile were among those killed.
A total of seven people died on the scene, while another person later succumbed to injuries in hospital.
Mahambehlala and April during their appearance on 3 April told the court they didn't intend to apply for bail, while Funde, Tsitsi and Tyesi said they'd apply.
Mahambehlala was arrested on 3 March in the Walmer flats in Gqeberha following a tip-off. The four other suspects were able to get away. However, they were arrested while hiding at Peelton Village outside Qonce on 27 March.
Before the court ordered that the matter must be held in private, lawyer Danie Gouws told the court he was representing Mahambehlala and April. Gouws said he was still waiting for instruction from the other accused.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luxolo Tyali said the court had granted them a chance to finalise the remaining aspect of the investigation.
"When the four additional suspects were arrested an ID parade had to be conducted but they indicated they wanted private legal representation.
"But in the last court appearance, they didn't have a lawyer so the ID parade in the interest of fairness couldn't be conducted without them having legal representation.
"As a result of the appointment of a lawyer, formal bail applications have been postponed until 19 April. But before that, Tyali said an ID parade will be held on 18 April," he said.
