The 19-year-old man arrested in connection with the deadly Philippi East tavern mass shooting that claimed the lives of nine people earlier this month has confessed to the killings.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that Bheki Manxiwa faces charges including murder, attempted murder and two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances following the attack, which has left the community reeling.
The NPA said the accused is linked to the mass shooting through a confession he allegedly made to two individuals, as well as through witness testimony.
NPA regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the matter was postponed until 2 February to allow for the compilation of a full bail profile and further investigation following the accused appearance at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
The case has been enrolled as a Schedule 6 offence, meaning the accused bears the onus of convincing the court that it would be in the interests of justice for him to be released on bail. The State has indicated it will oppose any bail application.
According to allegations presented in court, the accused and several others had been drinking at a different location before one of the suspects brought a firearm fitted with an extended magazine to another individual. The group then allegedly travelled to a tavern in the Marikana area of Philippi East.
Once inside the tavern, a woman identified as a co-owner of the establishment and several patrons were shot. Nine people died as a result of their injuries, while another patron was critically wounded and remains in hospital.
Police investigations are continuing, with three additional witnesses still to be interviewed. These witnesses are expected to further implicate the accused in the commission of the crime.