THE 12 men who are allegedly behind the senseless killing and robbing of people in Alexandra last month appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 16 August, to apply for bail.
The court heard how Alexandra residents had two days of hell when a group of armed men randomly shot and robbed people.
As a result of the attacks, eight people died, including Alex FM DJ Joshua Mbatha, while others were hospitalised.
Colonel Tobezweni Jam-Jam, team leader of the unit investigating the murders, told the court: “The incidents happened from Wednesday, 13 July, until Friday, 15 July.
“There were crime scenes which police attended, picking up dead bodies and injured persons.”
He said the incidents happened on the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Eleventh avenues in Alexandra.
“On the 15th of July, about four African men, all armed with firearms, were on foot in the above-mentioned streets.
“A driver driving a Toyota Etios was dropping off people and they fired in the direction of the car.They shot a 16-year-old (girl), who was taken to hospital,” he said.
“The group moved to another street, where they shot two other people. who were charging their cellphones in the car. They were taken to the clinic.”
Jam Jam said they proceeded to Eighth Avenue, where they killed one victim.
“They went to Seventh Avenue, where they shot an employee of Alex FM. The suspects further moved to Sixth Avenue where they shot and killed two people,” he said.
But the accused, Dumisani Sithole (35), Ziphezinhle Mnwango (21), Sphelele Khanyile (18), Nkazi Mbatha (21), Khanyile Nlebia (25), Lindokuhle Dladla (27), Goodman Nene (33), Nkokhelo Chonco (24), Ntokozo Chonco (24), Siyabulela Myeni (24), Thunelihle Sibisi (18) and Andile Hlubi (29), maintained they are innocent.
Through affidavits, the suspects said they don’t have previous convictions and asked for the court to set the bail amount between R1 000 to R3 000, should the court grant them bail.
They also said they won’t interfere with investigations or witnesses.
The matter was postponed to Monday, 22 August, for bail judgment.
