CAPE TOWN– A second suspect (20) has been arrested in connection with his alleged involvement in the January mass killing in Marikana, Philippi East.
Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said on Friday, 20 February, that members of Operation Lockdown III had closed in on a suspect believed to be involved in a mass shooting that claimed the lives of nine people in Marikana on Saturday, 17 January.
Suspect arrested and evidence seized
“The members raided the suspect’s home in Lower Crossroads, Philippi East, at around 00:40. They found a 20-year-old male in possession of four cellular telephones, which were confiscated and handed in as evidence. The suspect was arrested and detained at Lentegeur Police Station,” she said, adding that he is expected to make his first court appearance in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 February.
Community welcomes arrest
A community leader described the arrest of the second suspect as “great news” and praised the officers for their work.
“The arrest gives us hope. We want the suspects to tell us the truth. Who instructed them to collect money from local shops? Who supplied them with the guns used in the shootings? We want them to rot in jail; they don’t deserve to remain in the community,” she said, emphasizing that the law must take its course.
She added that, judging by the young age of the culprits, there are people recruiting them to carry out these crimes.
“All we need is for the truth to come out,” she concluded.
