Teen murder suspects abandon bail in Philippi mass killing case
Two murder-accused juveniles made an 11th-hour about-turn when they abandoned their bail applications at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court today.
The juveniles are among five accused individuals linked to the brutal killings of seven people in Philippi last month, where the victims were allegedly shot and their bodies set alight to destroy evidence.
The case has taken a further dark turn as both teens are also scheduled to appear in court on Friday on separate charges of double murder and attempted murder, with information that the crimes share the same disturbing modus operandi — shooting victims, collecting bullet casings, and burning bodies to conceal evidence.
The teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, appeared in-camera for what would have been their formal bail applications, facing Schedule 6 offences.
Currently, one of the juveniles is in a place of safety, while the other is detained at Pollsmoor Juvenile Section, as a place of safety is being sought for him.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “The two minors — charged with Sinothando Songca, Kuhle Webu, and Asavela Tshaya — have abandoned their right to apply for bail. This means all five accused charged with seven counts of murder, defeating the administration of justice, and arson have abandoned their right to apply for bail.
“The case against all five accused has been rolled over to (November 7),” said Ntabazalila.
Meanwhile, Lilitha Nanzani appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court F on Thursday, where he is charged with two counts of murder and attempted murder.
“Four of the five accused charged with the seven counts of murder, which happened at Better Life in Philippi East, are co-accused of Nanzani in the two murders and attempted murders which occurred in Sheffield Road, Philippi East, on September 30, 2025. Those four accused are the two minors, alongside Songca, 18, and Tshaya, 21,” said Ntabazalila.
Last week Songca, Webu, and Tshaya abandoned their Schedule 6 bail applications.
On Thursday, despite a media application brought for the matter to be heard in open court, Magistrate Nathan Johnson ruled that, as the upper guardian of the minors, and including reasons according to Section 153 of the Children Act, proceedings were heard in-camera to protect the teenagers’ safety, dignity, and their right to a fair trial.
Both the State and the defence opposed the application brought by the media.
Outside the court, families of the slain victims protested, calling for no bail.
chevon.booysen@inl.co.za