The case against five men accused of multiple charges, including murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and drugs, returned to the Booysens Magistrate’s Court on April 4.

The case stems from a shooting that took place in August last year, where a 63-year-old victim was shot dead near Moffat View Police Station.

“The victim was certified dead on the scene. Preliminary investigation indicated that he was shot by two or more suspects,” said SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo during a media briefing shortly after the incident.

Police conducted an operation that led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition and drugs on Arlington Street after the 63-year-old victim was killed. At the April 2 hearing, the court heard that accused number five (a 17-year-old minor) is nowhere to be found, and the magistrate was told he is at large. He was one of five granted R8 000 bail in October 2025.

The presiding magistrate made her displeasure at the prosecution team’s constant requests for postponements clear. “This matter has been dragging on for too long, and I am granting a final postponement. And if the State is not ready to proceed at the next appearance, I will make a decision on how to move forward,” said the presiding magistrate.

She criticised the State for taking too long to finalise its investigations. The State asked that the case be postponed until ballistics and post-mortem reports are finalised.

“Eight months is too long for both ballistics and post-mortem reports to be outstanding,” added the magistrate.
The magistrate postponed the case to May 14 for the State to finalise the reports. All accused remain out on bail.