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Two men appeared in court over the mass shooting that claimed the lives of five people in Mfuleni on Sunday.

Vuyile Gqomo and Lwando Wonder-Boy Nakani were arrested on Tuesday and charged with murder and illegal possession of ammunition.

In the presence of the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, the duo appeared before the Blue Downs Magistrates Court, and they were then joined in the dock by two more suspects, Lilitha Phalane and Siphelele Gqomo, also charged with the illegal possession of ammunition.

Public prosecutor Nomzamo Sinaze told the court: “The suspects are appearing on six counts, counts one to five being murder, alleging that on December 1, the suspect shot dead five persons who were in Mfuleni during an informal settlement. Point six concerns the possession of ammunition.

“They were linked through witnesses and a photo ID parade was also held with those witnesses.

“At this stage, the State may inform the court that this case falls under Schedule 6.”

Sinaze requested a seven-day remand in preparation for a bail application and to profile the suspect.

The lawyer added: “We have been informed by the investigating officer that the suspect may have previously been convicted. We do know that there are other cases for which they previously appeared in another court. They had other suspects.

“We also have two co-suspects in this court for possession of ammunition.”

He said the four were all arrested on Tuesday and police found 12 9mm bullets and one 9mm magazine in their possession.

The cases were adjourned until December 12.

Patekile praised the team that made the arrest, saying: “The team did not sleep for the entire 48 hours.”

The top cop said a total of seven people have been arrested for the massacre, although only two have been charged with murder.

He adds: “We are happy with that. We will continue our investigation.”

Patekile said they are waiting for the ballistics report to see if the weapons found on the suspects were previously used in the commission of the crime.

A relative of one of the murder victims said she felt traumatized when she saw the suspect.

“They look so young, they are still children, I felt sorry for their parents.

“I am grateful that the police arrested as quickly as possible.

“My cousin was only 28 years old and he was a father. When he was killed, he was visiting the mother of his child and his son. He was employed and we do not know if he was involved in extortion cases.”

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