/ 27 June 2006

Jeppe-siege accused make court appearance

Eleven of 16 people arrested for Sunday’s Jeppestown siege were remanded until July 27 by the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Sunday’s shootout in Johannesburg left 12 people dead, four of them police officers.

On Tuesday at least 10 police officers with rifles and handguns blocked the doors to the court as the first nine men laboured up the steps from the holding cells, their ankles shackled and their wrists cuffed with plastic cable.

Along with the uniformed police officers, the room was packed with plainclothes police, as well as officials from other courts in the building curious for a glimpse of the men.

Only reporters who could produce a press card were allowed to remain in the public gallery and ”for your own safety” were requested to sit in the back rows of the court.

On Sunday police responding to a robbery at a Pick ‘n Pay supermarket in Honeydew, west of Johannesburg, arrested one person and then travelled to a house in Jeppestown on the opposite side of the city hoping to apprehend the rest of the robbers.

After a tense stand-off at a house eight people alleged to be associated with the accused, and four police officers were killed.

They were Inspectors Frederick ”Frikkie” van Heerden (32) and Nzama Victor Mathye (49) both of the West Rand dog unit, Sergeant Gert Schoeman (30) of the West Rand emergency response service, and Constable Peter Francois Seaward (31) of the Johannesburg dog unit.

Van Heerden’s Inspector wife Leoni and another police officer were injured.

A customer at the supermarket was also injured during the robbery.

After the shooting the accused crawled out of the house into the custody of an enormous group of police officers, many of whom sobbed openly.

The men listened intently as interpreters relayed magistrate Delize Smith’s message that they face charges that could lead to life sentences and that it is advisable to appoint legal representation. If they cannot afford to do so they can request legal aid.

The languages used were Shangaan, isiZulu and Cindau, a Mozambican dialect containing some Portuguese words.

Prosecutor Mardie Human asked for an order prohibiting publication of the identity of the accused because the investigation is still underway.

”It might jeopardise the investigations,” she said.

Smith ordered that no names, addresses, or identifiable pictures or video footage of the accused be published.

They shuffled back downstairs to the holding cells with their heads down and did not make contact with anyone in the public gallery.

Afterwards West Rand detective Senior Superintendent Luke Enslin, who was on the scene on Sunday, said: ”I am happy that they have been in court. This [remand] gives the investigators time.”

Captain Gert Serfontein of the West Rand serious and violent crimes unit later told reporters that the names of five other accused who are receiving medical treatment were added to the roll in absentia.

The accused face charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.

A memorial service will be held for the slain police officers at the Little Falls Christian Centre at 10.30am on Thursday.

The funeral details of Seaward have been finalised. Captain Dennis Adriao said his funeral will be marked with full military honours at the New Life Church in Bryanston on Saturday morning. — Sapa