Jackson Mthembu’s shooters remain in police custody

The case against the accused was postponed to June 23 and 25 after three of the defence attorneys were not ready to go to trial last week Thursday. Two of the suspects will also be appearing for possession of an unlicensed firearm, Witbank News reported.

Family members of the five accused, as well as a throng of ANC members, filled the courtroom during last week’s appearance.

Mthembu was shot in the face while withdrawing money from an ATM in the Witbank CBD on Sunday, October 19 at 10pm.

An unknown suspect came behind him, drew a gun and pointed it at Mthembu, forcing him to withdraw all his money from his bank account. Mthembu then turned around and hit the suspect’s hand, which was holding the gun. A shot was fired, and the bullet hit Mthembu in the cheek.

Mthembu rushed to his vehicle, where he found another four of the suspects waiting for him. They searched him, taking three cellphones, a large sum of money and a parliament tag.

Mthembu then drove himself to Emalahleni Private Hospital, where he was hospitalised for 10 days.

The five suspects were arrested in their homes in an informal settlement in eMalahleni in November last year. They were denied bail and have remained in police custody since their arrests.

– Caxton News Service