A 34 year old awaiting trial prisoner, Sibusiso Nhlanhla Mahlalela, who was initially arrested for possession of a firearm without a licence as a result of information received from the community, on 21 October 2017, is facing five additional charges against him.
The charges come about as a result of police investigations following two murder and three attempted murder incidents which occurred within the Schoemansdal area, near Malelane, in the latter part of 2016 and early 2017.
These charges include an incident wherein a 43 year old Thokozani William Mahlalela was found dead in his car with gunshot wounds to the head and neck, in the bushes at Boschfontein, on 10 December 2016.
Another murder involves another 43 year old man, Sibusiso Mashabane also from Boschfontein, who was found dead next to the road, also with gunshot wounds.
The other incident involves a 37 year old man who was asleep with his wife when they were allegedly awoken by the suspect who demanded money at gunpoint, on 09 January 2017. Albeit given the money, the suspect is alleged to have shot and wounded the man and followed by raping the woman before fleeing the scene.
The two last incidents involves a 12 year old girl and a 35 year old woman who were shot in separate incidents at their houses after the suspect allegedly forced entry and demanded food, he allegedly shot and wounded them before fleeing the scene.
The investigations all pointed to Mahlalela who appeared before the Boschfontein Periodical Court on 09 January 2018.
He has been remanded in custody until 25 January 2018, pending further investigations.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
