Overview
- Five of the 11 people arrested appeared in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court, with their case adjourned to 5 January for legal aid arrangements.
- The accused abandoned bail applications citing safety concerns, and proceedings were tightly controlled with filming and cellphone use barred.
- All five who appeared confirmed they are undocumented Lesotho nationals, and prosecutors noted one has a prior attempted‑murder conviction.
- The group faces charges that include multiple counts of murder and attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and contraventions of immigration laws.
- Police seized an AK‑47, four pistols and ammunition during Westonaria raids, and the firearms have been sent for ballistic testing to determine any link to the tavern attack.