The legal system stalled because witnesses ghosted the identity parade for the holidays. Five men appeared in Westonaria Magistrates' Court regarding the Bekkersdal tavern massacre that left ten people dead. Authorities charged the group with possessing unlicensed firearms and live ammo while obstructing justice. Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo admitted that investigators need more time since people who saw the shooters are currently out of the province.
Officers grabbed these guys on Christmas Eve. A search turned up four pistols and one AK-47 along with plenty of bullets. Masondo noted that similar weapons were utilized during the killings. Techs sent the guns for ballistic testing to see if the hardware matches the crime scene evidence.
Only five individuals faced the judge, even though a joint team involving mine security initially grabbed eleven people targeting illegal mining. The court let the rest go due to a lack of evidence. One South African accused of hiding undocumented foreigners walked free as well. Officials barred the media from the closed session and kicked the public out. Everything is pushed back until January 22.
Officers grabbed these guys on Christmas Eve. A search turned up four pistols and one AK-47 along with plenty of bullets. Masondo noted that similar weapons were utilized during the killings. Techs sent the guns for ballistic testing to see if the hardware matches the crime scene evidence.
Only five individuals faced the judge, even though a joint team involving mine security initially grabbed eleven people targeting illegal mining. The court let the rest go due to a lack of evidence. One South African accused of hiding undocumented foreigners walked free as well. Officials barred the media from the closed session and kicked the public out. Everything is pushed back until January 22.
