GEORGE NEWS - Of the four suspects who were initially arrested on charges of murder after an alleged gang-related shooting in Borcherds last weekend, only one, Tsepho Ditaba (29), appeared in court on Tuesday 16 July.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, the other three suspects were released as there is not enough evidence to link them to the shootings at this stage.
Ditaba will return to the George Magistrate's Court for his formal bail application on Tuesday 23 July. He remains in custody.
The arrests follow the killings of Reginald Stalmeester (32) and Marcelino Januarie (20), who were shot minutes apart at their respective homes in Spandiel Street, Borcherds on Saturday 13 July.
Spies said Conville Police were called to the first scene at 20:55 where they found Stalmeester's body with a gunshot wound to his chest.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to George Herald, Stalmeester was at home with family and friends when a group of men attacked him and dragged him outside where he was shot.
Minutes later, at about 21:00, police were called to another scene further down the same street where Januarie was shot and killed inside his bungalow with his family also at home. His body was found under his bed where he had tried to hide, with gunshot wounds to his chest and arm. Following an immediate investigation by the police, the initial four suspects were arrested the next day.
Residents who spoke to the newspaper said the killings stem from frequent gang-related incidents and violence in the area.
According to them, two alleged gang members were attacked with pangas by members of a rival gang about a week ago. Both survived the attack and it appears that both are still recovering in hospital or at home, though this has not been confirmed.
Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to contact the investigation officer, Warrant Officer Lee-Ann Geldenhuys, on 044 803 3347 or 084 464 6084. Alternatively, the public may share information via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the MySAPS app.
The informal structure where Marcelino Januarie was shot and killed while family members were at home.
Reginald Stalmeester was shot and killed in the corridor behind the children's toys. Photos: Kristy Kolberg‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
