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Bail denied in Wynberg Court murder case, alleged mastermind admits being at scene
Bail denied in Wynberg Court murder case, alleged mastermind admits being at scene

The Citizen

time5 days ago

  • The Citizen

Bail denied in Wynberg Court murder case, alleged mastermind admits being at scene

Bail was denied for two of the accused on Friday, and the murder case was postponed to September. (L-R) Shireen Matthews, Brian Booysen, Wanay Farao and Vuyisani Sergio Zengethwa appear at Wynberg Magistrate's Court in Cape Town on 9 May 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Misha Jordaan Two women, including the alleged mastermind, linked to the fatal shooting at the Wynberg Magistrate's Court in Cape Town, Western Cape, will remain behind bars after being denied bail. Five accused – Shireen Matthews, Abubaker Adams, Wanay Farao, Brian Booysen, and Vuyisani Zengethwa – appeared in court on Thursday for the outcome of two bail applications. The suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of taxi operator Dingalomoya Chintso, who was shot and killed inside the courthouse on 8 April. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident was a revenge killing. Bail judgment in Wynberg court murder case During Thursday's proceedings, the magistrate handed down judgment on the bail applications of Matthews and Farao. The court heard that Matthews discovered she had been linked to the case after her e-hailing service accounts were blocked two days following the incident. The state alleged that she used an e-hailing service on the day of the shooting. In her affidavit, Matthews stated she is self-employed, selling clothing and earning R5 000 a month to support her child and mother. ALSO READ: Shootings plague Cape Town after another five people gunned down She also disclosed a medical condition that she claimed has worsened since her arrest. 'She is currently in great pain and requires an operation to alleviate the discomfort,' the magistrate said. Matthews argued that she does not have a valid passport, as it expired in 2011. She also told the court that her incarceration at Pollsmoor Prison has placed her under severe emotional distress. 'She further averred that she is likely to suffer prejudice if she is not released on bail, as it will cause stress to her and her family,' the presiding officer remarked. The alleged mastermind added that she risks losing her business and that the investigation might take an extended period. Shireen Matthews appears at Wynberg Magistrate's Court in Cape Town on 9 May 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Misha Jordaan Matthews admitted to having two previous convictions for theft. She denied involvement in the shooting but confirmed her presence at the court on the day of the fatal shooting. 'She attached a copy of the bail receipt which is attached to her affidavit. According to her, this bail receipt is proof that she was at court. 'This bail receipt is stamped, as a friend's case was withdrawn on that day, because while waiting to have the bail receipt endorsed so that the money could be paid out, she heard the shots and ran out. '[Matthews said] a person who she assumed to be a police officer ran towards her with a gun and told her to get down. She submits that she has no knowledge of the murder.' Flight risk Farao, in her affidavit, admitted being in a relationship with Booysen and said she moved in with him seven months ago. She told the court that she financially supports her mother, who suffers from schizophrenia. The 22-year-old said she earns R8 000 per month through modelling as well as dancing and suffers from chronic asthma, which she claimed was worsened by being held in an overcrowded cell. She conceded to being in the same e-hailing vehicle that dropped off Matthews at the court but denied involvement in any premeditated killing. READ MORE: Six extortion suspects killed in shootout with police in Mthatha However, the magistrate found that both women posed a flight risk as Farao evaded the police. The court also highlighted that Matthews and Farao had knowledge of the state's witnesses. 'They both know where the state witnesses reside.' The magistrate concluded that neither applicant presented exceptional circumstances justifying their release on bail. 'As a result, the bail applications of both first and second applicant are denied.' The case was postponed to 19 September for further investigation. Wanay Farao appears at Wynberg Magistrate's Court in Cape Town on 9 May 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Misha Jordaan Wynberg court The authorities allege Matthews orchestrated the murder by recruiting members of the Junky Funky Kids (JFK) gang. Adams and Zengethwa are suspected to be the shooters. It is also alleged that Farao smuggled the firearm into the courthouse, while Booysen was assigned to dispose of the weapon afterward. NPA Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila did not rule out further arrests. Previous reports indicated that ongoing tensions between local taxi operators and the JFK gang in Vrygrond. The conflict escalated when JFK gang leader Ashley 'Essie' Phillips was shot and killed on 30 January. NOW READ: Police probe triple murder and attempted double murder in Gugulethu

Two women linked to fatal Wynberg court shooting denied bail
Two women linked to fatal Wynberg court shooting denied bail

Eyewitness News

time5 days ago

  • Eyewitness News

Two women linked to fatal Wynberg court shooting denied bail

CAPE TOWN - Two women linked to the brazen fatal shooting at Wynberg Magistrate's Court have been denied bail. Shireen Matthews, the alleged mastermind in the killing of Dingalomoya Chintso, and alleged gun smuggler, Wanay Farao, appeared in front of a magistrate on Thursday. They are the only accused, out of five, who chose to apply for bail in this matter. ALSO READ: • Wynberg court shooting: NPA to oppose bail for 5 accused • Wynberg court shooting: Police confident they've arrested both gunmen Chintso, a taxi operator from Vrygrond, was shot and killed inside the courthouse after appearing in court for a murder case. Delivering judgment at the Wynberg Magistrate Court, the magistrate agreed with the prosecution that, if granted bail, the pair would attempt to flee trial. The court heard that both accused were on the run and evading police after the 8 April shooting. The magistrate also ruled that lawyers for the two accused did not provide the court with exceptional circumstances to permit their release on bail. "In other words, both applicants have not discharged the onus set upon them in terms of section 60 (11a) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997. In the result, the bail applications of both first and second applicant is denied." All five accused will remain behind bars, and the case has been postponed to 19 September for further investigation.

Police nab fifth suspect over Wynberg courthouse 'hit'
Police nab fifth suspect over Wynberg courthouse 'hit'

The Herald

time08-05-2025

  • The Herald

Police nab fifth suspect over Wynberg courthouse 'hit'

A 20-year-old 'key suspect' implicated in a brazen hit in the Wynberg magistrate's court in Cape Town will appear in the same court with four co-accused on Friday. Police spokesperson Brig Novela Potelwa said the latest arrest brings the number of suspects in the murder investigation to five. 'As the investigation unfolded police indicated they had their sights on a number of suspects whom they believed were behind the shooting,' she said. Shireen Matthews, 35, Abubaker Adams, 24, Brian Booysen, 34, and Wanay Fararo, 22, previously appeared in court facing charges related to the shooting on April 8 in the court building. Dingalomoya Chintso, 50, was killed by gunmen who bypassed security, shot the victim and escaped. At the time he faced charges of murder and illegal possession of a firearm. The state alleges the accused aided and abetted criminal gang activity in association with the Junky Funky Kidz gang, are implicated in the premeditated murder of Chintso and were in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. TimesLIVE

State to oppose bail for 4 suspects linked to Wynberg Magistrates Court shooting
State to oppose bail for 4 suspects linked to Wynberg Magistrates Court shooting

Eyewitness News

time26-04-2025

  • Eyewitness News

State to oppose bail for 4 suspects linked to Wynberg Magistrates Court shooting

JOHANNESBURG - The State says it will oppose bail for all four suspects linked to the Wynberg Magistrates Court shooting. Shireen Matthews, Abubaker Admas, Brian Booysen and Wanay Farao are accused of being behind what police believe was a revenge attack for the murder of a gang member. The State argues that Matthews orchestrated the alleged hit on Vrygrond taxi operator Dingalomoya Chintso two weeks ago. Adams is accused of being one of the shooters, while Booysen and Farao are believed to have supplied and helped smuggle the guns inside the court building. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said, "Their case has been postponed to May 9 for them to obtain legal representation, and they have indicated that they want to apply for bail, which we will oppose. We are charging them under Schedule 6 for premeditated murder."

Wynberg court ‘mastermind and shooter' face premeditated murder charges
Wynberg court ‘mastermind and shooter' face premeditated murder charges

TimesLIVE

time23-04-2025

  • TimesLIVE

Wynberg court ‘mastermind and shooter' face premeditated murder charges

The alleged mastermind behind a courthouse gang hit and a co-accused appeared in the Wynberg magistrate's court facing charges of premeditated murder on Wednesday. Shireen Matthews, 35, stood in the dock with alleged shooter Abubaker Adams, 24. The court heard they face charges in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act in which the state alleges they: aided and abetted criminal gang activities in association with the Junky Funky Kidz (JFK) gang; are implicated in the premeditated murder of former taxi owner Dingalomoya Chintso; and unlawfully possessed firearms and ammunition. Matthews faces additional charges of: inciting, instigating, encouraging or procuring another person to commit, bring about, perform or participate in a pattern of criminal gang activity; the unlawful supplying of firearms; and unlawful supplying of ammunition.

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