Five of 11 suspects accused of fatally shooting three men in the parking lot of Gordon’s Bay Mall were expected to apply for bail after appearing in Strand Magistrates’ Court.
The court gave the five suspects the go-ahead with formal bail applications, while the remaining murder accused’s appearances were postponed pending further investigation.
Keagan Potgieter, Yusuf Morris and Lee-Roy van Rooyen died in a shooting at the mall on Tuesday 27 January (“Manhunt for killers,” DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 4 February).
It is alleged the attackers drove into the parking area around 20:20 and fired shots at three men seated in a stationary Toyota Corolla. Two were shot dead in the vehicle and the third died outside it.
It is believed the incident was gang-related, all three victims allegedly linked to a well-known gang on the Cape Flats.
The subsequent police investigation resulted in four suspects being detained for questioning. They were released after 48 hours. Whether any of the 11 current suspects were among those originally detained was still unknown as were their potential gang affiliations.
The case began with murder charges against Tyron October and Byron Dryer, before Grant Schroeder was added as a co-accused.
Prosecutors withdrew all charges against October at the an appearance in court on 5 March, and eight additional suspects were introduced.Dryer and Schroeder are among the 11 people now facing murder charges in connection with the incident.
Five suspects are scheduled for bail hearings on Thursday 14 May, while the remaining accused will return to court on Friday 5 June.
