Biker shooter case set for trial

A man accused of shooting dead a motorcyclist during a road rage confrontation appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Magistrate Denise Smith set the trial to run from January 26 to February 13 next year, in the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.

Smith extended 43-year-old labour law consultant Meekahefele Masooa's R5000 bail, on condition that he appeared in court at 8am on January 26.

"If you are not there your bail will be forfeited and a warrant will be out for your arrest," she said.

Smith told him he should arrange his own witnesses for the trial.

Dressed in a black suit and blue tie, Masooa appeared in the dock just after 9am. He stood up straight, folded his arms and looked directly ahead, avoiding the public gallery where dead biker Douglas Pearce's family, including his wife, mother, and brother, were seated.

A group of leather-clad bikers were also in the gallery to show support for Pearce's family. Their motorcycles were parked outside the court entrance.

Proceedings were slightly delayed as Smith asked Masooa's lawyer Paula Thekiso, who was standing in for his usual lawyer Victor Nkwashu, to confirm his residential address, contact details, and language preferences. Masooa told the court he preferred his trial to be in English.

Mosooa allegedly shot Pearce in a road rage confrontation on Malibongwe Drive, Johannesburg, in February.

During the bail application it was heard that both men carried firearms on the day of the shooting. Mosooa claims he acted in self-defence.

 

 

(File photo: Gallo Images)