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KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court remands 2nd Pienaar massacre murder suspect in custody

The police said this suspect was one of two that were actively involved in the killing of eight people at a Pienaar tavern on Saturday, January 11.

The second suspect in the Pienaar massacre that saw the death of eight people and the injury of four others appeared in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday, January 16.

Mduduzi ‘Khehla’ Lubisi (43) was remanded in custody pending his next court appearance on Tuesday, January 21, for formal bail application.

ALSO READ: Eight people confirmed dead after shooting in Pienaar

Lubisi was arrested at home in the crime-ridden Pienaar Trust where the police found him in possession of three pistols without ammunition. This hardly two days after they had arrested his alleged accomplice, Bongani Patrick Nkosi (39), just before midnight on Sunday, January 12.

The crime scene where at least six people were confirmed dead during a shooting in Pienaar. > Photo: Supplied/SAPS

The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, told a media briefing on Wednesday, January 15, that Nkosi and Lubisi were allegedly involved in Saturday’s shooting incident.

“Our investigations have pointed to the two suspects as the ones who emerged and shot at the people who were in two cars. Everything else points to them. We may have additional suspects, but for now, we have the main suspects we wanted,” said Mkhwanazi.

The shooting happened next to a tavern that was still open at 04:00 on Saturday morning, January 11. Six people died on the spot. Six others were transported to hospital, where two more succumbed to their injuries. Out of the four left in hospital, two were discharged and two are still receiving medical attention.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Second suspect arrested in connection with Pienaar tavern killings

The police said they recovered many spent cartridges on the scene, but not a single firearm was recovered. They have so far refused to release the names of the victims who died, saying they had not yet located all their next of kin.

“We are still looking, and we do not have their complete identities as we have names without surnames,” said the provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.

The tavern has since been shut down for at least 30 days. The MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, said investigations regarding its licence issues and compliance were ongoing.

The MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, and the acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, during a media briefing about the Pienaar massacre that left eight people dead. > Photo: Riot Hlatshwayo

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Bertus de Bruyn

Bertus de Bruyn is based in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. De Bruyn has been employed by Caxton since 2009. After a short sabbatical of two years, De Bruyn is back at the place he called home, Caxton, at Lowveld Media. He is currently the digital content manager, but has 14 years of journalism skills, news editor, and acting editor duties behind his name.
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