Jeppestown trial postponed

2008-01-28 15:57

Johannesburg - Amid tight security, the 12 men and one woman arrested for what became known as the "Jeppestown massacre" appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday, only to have the trial adjourned to Tuesday.

Closely guarded by armed policemen, with 10 lawyers between, the neatly dressed group shuffled into the dock tethered together with ankle restraints.

As they waited for proceedings to begin, some chatted to their lawyers, while others peered over their shoulder to see who was in the packed public gallery.

The 25 charges most of them face include robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and illegal possession of firearms, with evidence backed up by 99 witnesses.

On June 25 2006 they allegedly robbed a Pick 'n Pay at Honey Junction in Honeydew on the West Rand.

According to the indictment, the woman, Mary Dineo Maleke, worked at the supermarket.

Her boyfriend, second accused Senzo Mweli, allegedly arranged with her to meet some of the other accused and they discussed robbing the supermarket.

The state alleges that on Sunday Morning, Mweli, and 11 of the accused, with at least nine other people believed to have been robbers, drove to the supermarket in about six vehicles. A security guard saw them approaching and tried to flee but was shot at.

Police under fire

The group entered the supermarket and some began robbing shoppers of bags and money, money from pay points and from the cash office.

They shot one shopper they had frisked and then sped off in their getaway vehicles.

Police from various stations arrived and apprehended one person, Thembinkosi Tshabalala, and proceeded to a house in Jeppestown where accused three to 13 and four other people were found.

Police surrounded the house and Willem van Niekerk, Frederick van Heerden, Peter Seaward, Gert Schoeman and Nzama Mathye were among those who managed to enter the house.

Van Heerden, Seaward, Schoeman and Van Niekerk pushed open the door to a room where nine people were hiding and told them to lie down but the policemen came under fire.

Van Heerden, Seaward and Schoeman were shot down in the doorway of the bedroom while Van Niekerk was shot and wounded in the leg.

Van Heerden crawled through the house towards the outside and as he was sitting outside, Mathye, who also was wounded also came crawling out of the house.

Van Heerden dragged Mathye next to the house but while lying outside, he was shot again and died. Seaward and Schoeman also died from their wounds at the scene.

Firing continued from inside the house and from the police.

Case moved

One of the robbers, Bonga Zondi, ran out of the house firing at police, who returned fire, killing him.

Another of the accused tried to escape but police arrested him.

After long negotiations, the remaining accused - three to 13 - were arrested as they emerged from the house.

After a brief appearance, the case was moved to Tuesday to allow the lawyers more time to prepare.

Judge Ratha Mokgoatheng also sought assurance from the lawyers that they would be available for the duration of the trial.

- SAPA