GQEBERHA – The three suspects accused of the murder of South African Police Service (SAPS) Constable Callan Andrews briefly appeared at the Gqeberha High Court, for what was scheduled to be the pre-trial. The matter was postponed for legal representation.
The three, whose names are known to the Express but cannot be shared as one of the accused was a minor at the time the crime was allegedly committed, appeared in the dock, hiding their faces to avoid being photographed.
PE Express previously reported that Constable Callan Andrews, 29, who was attached to Gelvandale Police Station, was fatally shot while on duty on New Year’s Eve, 2024.
According to the Hawks, Andrews had responded to a domestic violence complaint in Voisen Road, Helenvale, when he was allegedly attacked and robbed of his service pistol. He was rushed to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Hawks launched an investigation that led to the arrests of the accused in January 2025.
According to the court indictment, the State alleges that Andrews and fellow officers had responded to a domestic violence complaint in Helenvale.
After the police vehicle failed to start, Andrews got out to help push-start it. It is alleged that while he was pushing the vehicle along Kobus Road, he was shot at close range and robbed of his service pistol. He was rushed to hospital, where he later died.
The indictment alleges that Brooks instructed one of his co-accused to rob Andrews of his service pistol. During the alleged robbery, the officer was fatally shot. The State further alleges that the firearm was handed to Brooks before the accused fled the scene.
The charge sheet stated that the accused face a total of 12 charges linked to alleged organised criminal gang activity.
The charges include inciting, aiding and promoting criminal gang activity; incitement to commit robbery; possession of a firearm and ammunition with the intent to commit an offence; two counts of unlawful possession of a semi-automatic firearm; two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition; murder; robbery with aggravating circumstances; and money laundering.
The money laundering charge, alternatively assisting another to benefit from the proceeds of unlawful activities or the acquisition, possession or use of the proceeds of unlawful activities, applies only to accused two, while the charges of inciting criminal gang activity and incitement to commit robbery apply only to accused three.
The Legal Aid representative standing in for their colleague stated that they did not have sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the affidavit of the accused and could not consult with management on the appointment of Legal Aid representatives for the accused without legal representation.
The matter was postponed until 20 August for the finalisation of legal representation, as all the accused are in custody.
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