Emotionally-charged cases withdrawn
Prosecutor’s shock decision to let two murder suspects off the hook has rcommunity baying for blood
WO murder cases, two police blunders, four families in agony and a community outraged. In the same courtroom at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court, in a single week, the charges against two separate high-profile murder suspects were withdrawn, apparently because investigators failed to do their jobs properly.
On Tuesday morning, Zanokuhle Mbatha, the man believed to have killed Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa, was brought to the court for what was meant to be routine court proceedings.
A sudden announcement revealed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) believed it did not have enough evidence to pursue a case against Mbatha, and he was immediately released from custody.
Mbatha’s family broke down outside the court, his mother covering her face with a scarf to hide her tears while other relatives shouted that they knew police had nailed the wrong suspect.
Mbatha himself has demanded an apology from police and believes he could become a target of mob justice despite being released from custody.
Meyiwa’s father, Sam, was equally disappointed with police, but told media outlets the family was still desperate for the real suspects to be arrested and justice to be served.
Yesterday, the same intense emotions played out again in Courtroom A.
Residents of Reiger Park had gathered again in Boksburg to show their condemnation of the man they are cer-
Ttain is responsible for the death of 4-year-old Taegrin Morris.
Three months ago the boy was killed in a car hijacking where he was dragged for kilometres out of the side of his mother’s stolen vehicle.
It was only earlier this month that police arrested Thamsanqa Brutus Twala, who was initially set to apply for bail yesterday morning.
The brutality of Taegrin’s death incensed the small community, prompting loud, outbursts at Twala’s earlier ap- pearances, with some residents threatening to kill the man if he was released from custody.
These outpourings resulted in police surrounding the courthouse premises with razor wire and using at least two dozen officers to patrol the crowd of Reiger Park residents who arrived yesterday.
Tight security meant only a certain number were allowed in court, but proceedings lasted barely five minutes. The court was told that charges had been withdrawn against Twala, who did not appear in person for his own safety.
Even before the presiding magistrate stood up to leave the room, the crowd inside court erupted with emotional shouts. “We’re not going to leave it like this,” one woman screamed, tears forming in her eyes. The prosecutor handling the case immediately rushed out of the room, and was not seen leaving the courthouse. Taegrin’s father, Elwin, was escorted from court, with reporters later told he simply could not handle his emotions after hearing that Twala was to be released.
Outside court, Twala’s mother-in-law watched as the angry mob of people screamed death threats directed towards her son. “We will kill his children. We will drag them like Taegrin,” shrieked one woman.
Twala’s in-law was escorted by police from the premises, looking upset as the crowd continued to chant for his head, and those of the officials who had failed them.
Community leader Hein April did his best to calm the crowd. He told the media: “If the people take the law into their own hands, we can’t stop them.”
Taegrin’s great aunt, Gladys Smith, almost burst into tears as she told reporters that Taegrin had less civil rights than a dog. “They (the justice system) are dragging our emotions through the dirt,” she said.
While anger continued to swell with the realisation there had been no reason given in court as to why the charges were withdrawn, April and Taegrin’s family were called to meet the court’s control prosecutor. It was in this meeting they were informed that insufficient evidence, and a procedural problem at Twala’s identity parade, had led to the withdrawal. April implored residents to “not do something irresponsible”.
Meanwhile, in a small office at the Boksburg police station, Twala’s mother-in-law, who can not be identified out of fear for her safety, spoke to Saturday Star. She thanked God that her son-in-law had been released, but wanted to make sure the Morris family knew how sorry she was for their loss. “I know I would have died if that happened to my child,” she said.
She said she was worried her own family’s safety could be at risk and blamed poor police work for labelling Twala a criminal. With regard to the rage bubbling over in Reiger Park, she could only sigh. “He needs to be proven guilty before he is judged. I know they are angry, but I believe in my son.”
Numerous attempts to contact the NPA yesterday were unsuccessful. The SAPS had also failed to comment by the time of publication.