A 19-year-old accused of the Philippi East tavern mass shooting appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court, with the State opposing bail. 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.
NPA regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the matter was postponed until February 2 to allow for the compilation of a full bail profile and further investigation following the acccused apearance at the Athlone Magistrates’ 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.
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Nine people died as a result of their injuries, while another patron was critically wounded and remains in hospital. The State further alleges that after the shooting, the accused robbed the deceased victims of their cellphones and money.
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