PRETORIA – A 27-year-old Zimbabwean man has been charged with murder after a violent attack at the Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve, north of Tshwane, South Africa on March 22 in which six people were killed.
The man, who is yet to be named by authorities, is reportedly in the country illegally.
He was identified during a parade before making his appearance at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing multiple charges, including six counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder and two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
“An identity parade has since taken place where he was positively identified as one of the people who were there and attacked the patrollers so that’s how he was linked hence his appearance today”, said the NPA’s Lumka Mahanjana.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the group of patrollers were sitting on the street when they were approached by five unknown men, one of whom was armed.
NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said the men allegedly opened fire, shooting one patroller and assaulting others with rocks and wooden poles before setting them on fire.
“Four patrollers died on the scene, while others were transported to the hospital,” she said.
Two more people died at the hospital.
