The Western Cape High Court will send Jean-Paul Malgas to a district surgeon for a provisional assessment to establish whether he needs to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
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News24 reports that Malgas, an ex-policeman, is accused of killing fellow officer Constable Donay Phillips and two patients after being escorted to the hospital for treatment in May 2022.
According to the Daily Maverick, Malgas entered into a scuffle with Phillips, who was guarding a prisoner in the hospital. It was alleged that Malgas disarmed and then shot Phillips. After this, Malgas reportedly entered one of the wards and fatally shot two patients.
One of the nurses, Sister Diane Seale, who was carrying out a routine handover when a colleague called in distress, was able to diffuse the situation. When she entered the second floor, she saw Malgas with a gun in his hand.
‘I proceeded to walk straight to him [and] made eye contact. I walked towards him and I hugged him. I escorted him into the cubicle. He told me to close the door. I felt I could calm him down a bit. Although I had noted two patients had been shot and were deceased, there were still two patients that were alive that I needed to save. I kept him seated, standing in front of him, so that these patients were kept out of harm’s way.’
During his first court appearance, Malgas’ lawyer said he was depressed and suicidal and that he did not want bail.
He has remained in custody.
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