Bail has been denied for a man accused of being involved in a deadly taxi shooting R59 near Meyerton in February.
Image: Sora
The Vereeniging Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to 44-year-old Mandlakayise Louis Makhunga of Alberton. Makhunga faces a series of serious charges, including six counts of murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
His co-accused, Jaulane Mlambe, 30, from Germiston and Sabelo Mchunu, 25, from Kliprivier, have also abandoned their bail applications amid overwhelming evidence against them.
The charges stem from a harrowing incident that took place on the afternoon of February 3, 2026, when a minibus taxi carrying 22 passengers was travelling along the R59 near Meyerton, en route from Johannesburg to Lesotho.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the three accused allegedly approached the taxi in their vehicle and opened fire, killing six passengers and injuring several others.
"The brutal attack escalated as the accused rammed the taxi, then exited their vehicle to hijack a nearby motorist before fleeing the scene," said provincial NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.
Law enforcement authorities, alerted by the hijacking victim, quickly mobilised in pursuit of the suspects. In an intense chase, the accused abandoned the hijacked vehicle and fled into nearby bushes. Mlambe and Mchunu were apprehended shortly after, while Makhunga was arrested hours later after security officers spotted him walking barefoot and nursing a gunshot wound in the Kliprivier area.
During the bail proceedings, the State, represented by Advocate Reuben Chabalala, presented a damning case against Makhunga.
"The Investigating Officer’s affidavit raised critical red flags about Makhunga's credibility, noting that he lacked a fixed address, failed to cooperate with the police, and misrepresented information in his bail affidavit, claiming, among other things, that he owned a farm. The prosecution argued convincingly that releasing Makhunga would pose a significant flight risk and would not serve the interests of justice given the gravity of the charges he faces," Mahanjana explained.
The presiding Magistrate ruled against the bail application, highlighting the strength of the State's case as a key factor in their decision. The court also acknowledged Makhunga’s attempts to mislead the judicial system and cited his precarious living situation as evidence that he may evade trial.
The matter has been postponed to April 30, 2026, for further investigation.
IOL