This past weekend, three people were shot dead in a harrowing incident which took place at New Somerset Hospital. One of the victims was a disarmed police officer, Constable Donay Phillips.
Also read: Staff at New Somerset hospital to receive counselling after devastating shooting
According to the statement released by the Western Cape premier, Alan Winde, Phillips (32) “succumbed to injuries sustained” after the shooter allegedly took his gun. The names of the other two victims (ages 42 and 48) have not been released, but it’s believed they were killed in their beds.
The shooter was later identified as a former cop from Hopefield, Jean-Paul Malgas, who had been dismissed over a decade ago, according to Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General, Thembisile Patekile, reports IOL.
Malgas (39) appeared in court on Tuesday and faces three charges of murder, a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm, a charge of unlawful possession of ammunition, and robbery.
According to News24, the accused’s lawyer Shaun Balram told the court that his client is suicidal and has severe depression. It was further reported that plasters on Malgas’s arms were called into question and are allegedly in place due to medical treatment.
Malgas has reportedly abandoned his bail application and the case has been postponed to 30 June for further investigation. He is being held at Pollsmoor Prison.
Meanwhile, the DA Western Cape Acting Spokesperson for Community Safety, Ricardo Mackenzie, has released a statement indicating that Khayelitsha Police Station is operating with 20% of its positions not being filled. This comes after the mass murders of six people in the community on Sunday.
Also read:
20% vacancy rate at Khayelitsha Police Station amid mass shootings
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