Tuesday May 30, 2023
by Mandilakhe Tshwete
Cape Town - The shopkeeper accused of shooting a teen Parkwood soccer player over a lighter has made his first appearance in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
The 27-year-old Somali man appeared on Monday. His name cannot be published until an identity parade has been completed and the court learns his real name.
He is accused of killing Shelton Williams, 15, and the attempted murder of the teen’s 14-year-old friend; possession of an illegal firearm that was reported missing in Ermelo, Mpumalanga; and illegal possession of ammunition.
Shelton’s family and supporters filled the public gallery, screaming when the accused’s lawyer informed the court that his client could not speak English.
Magistrate Goolam Bawa warned the people to be quiet or leave the courtroom.
The nervous and confused-looking Somali man emerged from the court cells in a black jacket and faced the public gallery before turning around and sitting down. When Bawa asked for his name, he didn’t even look at the magistrate.
The attorney informed the court that he had a different name with him.
Bawa said: “I need to determine his name before we continue with the proceedings, and we also need a Somali interpreter.
“The case has been postponed until Thursday morning. The accused will remain in custody.”
Shelton’s aunt, Sharday Mentor, claimed the accused was lying about the language barrier.
“People who buy from his shop know he can speak English. Those who were in court said they always communicated in English. This is just a delaying tactic.”
Shelton went to the accused’s shop to buy milk on Thursday at about 7.10pm.
“It wasn’t even 10 minutes after he went to the shop that people called me and informed me that he had been shot and was lying on Heath Road.
“I went there, but he wasn’t responding to me, and when the ambulance came the paramedics declared him dead,” said the aunt.