The police investigation into the fatal shooting of six patrollers at the Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve township has not yet established how the two suspects, aged 27 and 50, arrested on Monday, are linked to the commission of the crime.
The two suspects made a brief, in-camera appearance at the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, and their case was subsequently postponed until April 1 to allow for further investigation and a potential bail application.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said a Zimbabwean national, aged 27, is facing a case of being illegal in the country, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
On the other hand, a 50-year-old man is facing a case of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
The man claimed he sustained an open wound after he was assaulted by the police officials and bore visible injuries.
Magistrate Thandi Theledi said the case was postponed to April 1 to verify his address, for the identity parade to be conducted, and for further investigations.
Mahanjana said: “Those investigations include conducting an identity parade. The two accused persons are not linked to the killing that happened at the Soshanguve Informal Settlement. However, if investigations link them to that offence then those charges will be added,” she said.
The pair's arrest on Monday followed an attack on Saturday, where a group of approximately five individuals shot the patrollers, assaulted them with stones, and partially set them on fire.
Four patrollers were certified dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu confirmed that the death toll has risen to six after one of the casualties succumbed to their injuries in hospital on Monday.
Mchunu was visiting the township on Tuesday where he interacted with affected families, assuring them that the police will not leave any stone unturned in this case.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Singo reported that the suspects were found with firearms and ammunition, including a 9mm Girsan firearm and a 9mm CZ firearm, both with serial numbers removed.
Mchunu said the police are actively pursuing five individuals suspected of being involved in the fatal shootings, with two other persons called in for questioning following a tip-off from the public.
Despite the arrests, some family members of the victims expressed mixed reactions, questioning whether the arrests would ultimately lead to justice.
Rose Phahla, a relative of 27-year-old Katlego Motlotsi, who was fatally shot at the scene, said true comfort would only come from seeing the suspects linked to the crime convicted and serving their sentences.
Thokozile Koko, whose 19-year-old nephew Mpho Koko lost his life in this incident, said her family has found some comfort in seeing the government making efforts to address the matter as quickly as possible.
Mchunu expressed concern that the presence of undocumented foreign nationals living in the country without proper authorisation “has become problematic,” citing the arrest of one suspect in possession of an illegal firearm as evidence.
He said: “There is now clear evidence with the arrest that has been made of this one suspect who was in possession of an illegal firearm. This is clear evidence to us that it is true that undocumented foreigners, who are illegal here, are a factor that can’t be denied in criminality, even in murders.”