Alleged ConCourt vandal has previous murder conviction - NPA
The man accused of a brazen attack on the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in Johannesburg this week will be remanded in custody following a brief appearance at the Hillbrow Magistrates Court on Friday.
Paul Makauta faces a charge of malicious damage to property after he struck the front windows of the apex court with a hammer, leaving damage estimated at R50 000.
The motive for the attack remains unclear but it sent shockwaves throughout the country.
It came amid heightened fears following the fire that ravaged parts of Parliament last week.
Makauta did not apply for bail.
“Investigations are ongoing and we are trying to determine as a State what other charges can we hold against him, in terms of the National Key Points Act,” said Phindi Mjondondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng.
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Mjondondwane also made a shocking revelation about the 36-year-old’s criminal history.
“He’s currently serving parole under Correctional supervision for a charge of murder, convicted in 2010. He was then given parole in 2019,” she said.
“We are liaising with the Department of Correctional Services in terms of establishing whether or not the accused person contravened his parole conditions and if so, he should be taken back to custody to serve the remainder of his sentence,” Mjondondwane added.
The matter has been postponed to 25 March.
