By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Five suspects, linked to the tragic Bekkersdal tavern mass shooting, have abandoned their bail application at the Westonaria Magistrate Court.
The suspects face charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, live ammunition and undocumented immigrants.
The mass shooting took place early hours of Sunday, 21 December, when gunmen opened fire randomly leaving 10 people dead and 10 injured.
The motive of the shooting is still unknown.
Their identities are still being withheld as they’re yet to undergo an identity parade, which may help determine their connection to the mass shooting.
These five suspects are among 11 arrested in connection with the shooting, while the other six are yet to be formally charged.
The court proceedings were held on camera under strict regulations. The media was not allowed to film the court proceedings and the usage of cellphones was prohibited.
The court heard that the accused face various charges, including nine counts of murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicenced firearms and live ammunition, and contraventions of immigration laws.
The court was also told that one of the accused has a previous conviction for attempted murder. They also confirmed that the suspects are from Lesotho and don’t have passports.
The Magistrate has ordered that the names and images of the suspects may not be released until the identity parade has been finalised, to ensure the integrity of the identification process is not compromised.
The case has been postponed to 5 January 2026.
Meanwhile KwaNoxolo tavern owner, Nanesi Matwa, who faces charges of operating without a liquor licence, her matter postponed to December 31, 2025, for profiling.
In a separate mass shooting incident in Saulsville on the 06 December 2025, the suspect has also abandoned his bail application.
The accused will be remanded in custody after appearing in the Polokwane Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
Ballistic tests have linked a gun found in his possession to the weapon used in the attack at the liquor outlet earlier this month.
Twelve people were killed and 13 others injured when gunmen opened fire at the liquor outlet.
SAPS National spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said, “The accused in the Saulsville matter has appeared before the Polokwane Magistrates Court on a charge of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.”
“The accused abandoned his bail application and the matter has been postponed to the 19th of February 2026, and he is remanded in custody until then. Tomorrow, he will appear again in Atteridgeville where he is facing 12 counts of murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.”
According to the latest crime statistics, between July and September there were 191 victims in Gauteng related to multiple murders. They include 51 murders that had two victims and 17 with three victims. There were four multiple murders with four victims each, and one mass murder which had 11 victims.