Courts & Legal
Teen accused in Philippi East tavern massacre abandons bail application
A sudden turn in a case that has shaken Philippi East
The teenager accused of carrying out a mass shooting that shocked Philippi East and the wider Cape Town community has taken a decisive step that keeps him behind bars for now.
Bheki Manxiwa, who is facing nine counts of murder following the Philippi East tavern massacre, has formally abandoned his bail application at the Athlone Magistrates Court. His decision came during his second court appearance this week and marks a significant development in a case that has deeply unsettled the local community.
Why bail was always going to be an uphill battle
From the start, the State made it clear that Manxiwa’s release would be strongly opposed. Prosecutors classified the matter as Schedule Six, one of the most serious categories under South African law. In such cases, the burden falls on the accused to convince the court that releasing them would serve the interests of justice.
Before the court could even test that argument, the defence informed the magistrate that Manxiwa was abandoning his right to apply for bail altogether.
Gang links and heavier charges on the way
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the case is about to widen further. Prosecutors have confirmed that additional charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act are expected after investigations allegedly revealed the teenager’s involvement in gang activity.
The shooting is believed to be linked to an ongoing conflict between rival gangs fighting over extortion territory, a pattern of violence that residents of Philippi East and surrounding areas know all too well.
What the State alleges happened that night
Prosecutors allege that Manxiwa and others were socialising elsewhere when a firearm with an extended magazine was brought to the group. From there, they allegedly travelled to a tavern in the Marikana area.
Once inside, gunfire erupted. A woman who co-owned the tavern was shot, along with several patrons. Nine people died at the scene, while another victim was left critically injured in the hospital. The State further alleges that cellphones and money were taken from the victims after the shooting.
Investigators say Manxiwa has been linked to the crime through confessions made to two individuals, as well as witness statements. An identification parade is still pending, which is why his image has not been released publicly.
Community shock and public reaction
News of the massacre and the latest court developments continues to ripple through social media, where many residents have expressed grief, anger, and exhaustion at the persistence of gun violence linked to gang disputes. For families in Philippi East, the case has become another painful reminder of how quickly everyday social spaces like taverns can turn into crime scenes.
What happens next
The case has been postponed to 16 April to allow for further investigation. With bail now off the table and organised crime charges looming, the legal road ahead for the accused appears increasingly serious.
For the community left mourning nine lives lost, attention is now firmly on whether the justice system can deliver accountability in a case that has come to symbolise the human cost of gang violence in the Western Cape.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: EWN
