Two State witnesses said they saw a Hanover Park man fire the shots that injured six-year-old Leeana van Wyk, the court heard.
|||Cape Town - Two of the four State witnesses in the attempted murder case against a Hanover Park man allegedly saw him fire the shots that injured six-year-old Leeana van Wyk.
This was the evidence of Warrant Officer John Jacobs in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Jacobs testified during the opposed bail application of 18-year-old Fernando Johnson. Johnson has been charged with attempted murder for the shooting in Johndown Walk on September 15.
Leeana and her friend, Liam Davids, were playing in the alley and were caught in the crossfire during infighting between members of the Mongrels gang.
While one bullet grazed Liam’s skull, another hit Leeana in her head. She is recovering at Red Cross Children’s Hospital.
Johnson testified last week that he is a former member of the gang but denied that he had handled a gun that day.
He claimed that two men - who are leaders of the same gang - shot at him and that the bullet subsequently hit Leeana.
Jacobs told the court on Monday that two witnesses, who said they saw Johnson fire the shots, were the two gang bosses.
One of the other witnesses, a woman who lives in the area, said she saw a gun in Johnson’s possession but not that he actually fired a shot.
The witness said in her statement that she was certain she could identify Johnson because he grew up in front of her.
Jacobs said bail was opposed because the State had a duty to protect society and to ensure Johnson’s safety.
Closing arguments and judgment is expected on Friday.
jade.witten@inl.co.za
Cape Argus