The Western Cape director of public prosecutions has decided not to prosecute three men arrested in connection with a fatal shootout last week in front of former president Nelson Mandela’s Constantia home, SABC radio reported on Tuesday.
Malcolm Wessels (35), Carl Appollis (32) and Ebrahiem Daniels (42) had been facing charges of attempted murder.
Prosecutor RJ de Kock said the police investigation had revealed that Appollis, Daniels and Wessels did not act in concert with a former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) major who was shot dead by police at the gates to Mandela’s house.
The former officer, George Makume, had threatened policemen and was shot dead after he allegedly cocked an army-issue R4 assault rifle outside Mandela’s guarded home.
Makume, who was described by defence authorities as ”disgruntled and ill-disciplined”, went to Mandela’s home and demanded to speak to Mandela, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, or Tutu’s successor, Njongonkulu Ndungane.
Upon hearing they were not available, Makume allegedly went to his car to fetch the assault rifle and was killed when he stormed the gate to the private residence.
His two companions were captured when they tried to escape, and a third was arrested in Knysna.
Makume had been dismissed from the SANDF for ill-discipline after being absent without leave for three months. He was reportedly embroiled in a dispute with his former employers about his pension.
He was also wanted for the theft of military weapons — one of which was recovered at the scene of last week’s shooting.
Free State police had offered a R30 000 reward on Monday for information on his whereabouts in connection with the robbery of four assault rifles and 120 rounds of ammunition from the Sasolburg Commando.
Makume had been granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for six offences ranging from weapons theft to attempted murder.
According to a TRC document, he was at various times a member of the African National Congress and the South African National Civics Organisation, but later switched to the Pan Africanist Congress because he found the ANC’s policies too moderate.
He joined the SANDF’s predecessor, the South African Defence Force, in the early 1990s to gather inside information and acquire military skills, but told the TRC the army was suspicious about his motives and attempts were made to frustrate him. — Sapa