File Photo
File Photo
A 25-year-old man accused of the murder of 12 people who were gunned down in a taxi in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in 2018 has been remanded in custody after appearing in court for the first time since his arrest.
Mlungisi Gezani Hadebe appeared at the Weenen Magistrate’s Court on 9 October 2020, and was remanded in custody until his next appearance on Thursday 15 October 2020 at the Colenso Magistrate’s Court.
Hadebe is accused of orchestrating the mass shooting of the commuters, who were killed when gunmen opened fire on the taxi, killing 12 people and injuring a father five.
KZN suspect remanded in custody
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said that Hadebe was arrested on Tuesday last week.
“Hadebe was arrested for multiple murders where a total of twelve people were killed and five others sustained serious injuries,” he said in a statement. “He was arrested last Tuesday after a lengthy investigation by the investigating officer assigned to the case.”
“It is alleged on 21 July 2018 at 18:30, a taxi full of passengers was travelling on the R74 Weenen Road in Colenso when they were ambushed by a number of suspects who opened fire towards their vehicle.”
Previous suspect ‘died while awaiting trial’
Naiker said that a previous suspect who had been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the murders had died in prison awaiting trial, leading investigators to continue their search for more suspects.
“Last year 42-year-old Thandukwazi Thusi was arrested for the same case but died in prison whilst awaiting for trial,” he said.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Khombinkosi Jula ,praised the investigating officer who was central to the efforts to bring the suspects to book.
“I am confident that all those involved in the brutal killing of so many lives will be caught soon,” he said.
