Trio in court for deadly Plessislaer shooting spree
The trial of three men accused of murdering five people in a shooting spree in Plessislaer is underway in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
Sthembiso Zondi, Sipho Wiseman Shange and Siphesihle Gasa were arrested in connection with the crimes.
Police say two years ago, three gunmen entered a shop at Emgodini and robbed the cashier before shooting her and two patrons.
The robbers then killed a 43-year-old man at a house next to the business.
They opened fire on a passing taxi but the driver managed to escape unscathed.
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The gunmen proceeded to another house where they shot a couple, killing a 25-year-old woman and injuring her partner.
The police's Thembeka Mbele says one of the suspects, Sthembiso Zondi, who goes by the nickname Jesus, was found with a pistol and ammunition during his arrest.
"It was one firearm that was subjected to ballistic testing and it was positively linked to the crime scene as well as to the crime."
The trio has also been charged with attempted murder and robbery.
