‘Criminals are always winning’ laments family of Sosh shooting victim

This comes as three suspects arrested for the New Year's Day killings are expected back in court on Friday.

Another person was released on Tuesday after the case against him was struck off the roll.

The Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court found the police failed to bring him before the court within the prescribed 48 hours of his arrest, as per the provisions of the Criminal Procedures Act.  

READ: Soshanguve shooting: Case against one of accused struck off the roll

The man made a brief appearance in court, where his lawyer alleged that police had assaulted him.

There were loud gasps, and a loud “no” was hurled from the public gallery when the man – who wore a blood-stained white vest, blue pants, and flip-flops – was told he was free to go home.

Zingisile Jonga, Phomolang Molakapatlo’s uncle, says they believed that with all the attention the brazen attack received from the likes of Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, authorities would put their best officials on the case.

But after Tuesday’s court proceedings, they have their doubts.

“Our justice system keeps on failing us. We were expecting maybe they would put their best, in terms of the policemen on this case. I am not undermining the people who are handling the case, but what we heard from the court, that the person was released because of technicalities, tells you that these people didn’t know.

“It’s like a chess game here. Criminals are always winning.”

Molakapatlo is one of four people who were killed in a hail of bullets – shortly after ushering in the new year.

Her sister Koketso is devastated.

She says they lost their mother in the same way, in the same area.

“It was so painful to see our loved ones in the mortuary. My sister was so beautiful. It was painful to see her that way.

“Jukulyn is a horrible place to live in because every week we bury someone…

“This didn’t start with my sister. My mother was also killed in Jukulyn in 2000. The same way they killed my sister.”

Meanwhile, another suspect, who was hospitalised on Monday night, is expected to join Sipho Kgomo and Tshepo Mosemeni in the dock on Friday.