A man who is accused of shooting and killing a bread truck driver and a crew member has begged the court to let him stay in the hospital where he was treated after being assaulted by the mob. Ayanda Dayi made an appearance at the Belville Magistrates Court in Cape Town on Thursday. He is facing charges of murder and robbery for possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.
Dayi was apprehended last month in connection with the double murder, which was captured on a bakery delivery truck's dashcam in Delft, Cape Town. After being tracked by the investigating team, he was found at Deft Day Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for injuries sustained during an assault by community members. The community had confronted him after he was identified as the alleged perpetrator in a widely shared video on social media.
Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the matter was postponed to 2 July for a bail hearing. In court, Dayi requested that he be taken back to hospital because he feared for his life if he was to be held in custody. "The court rejected his claims about his safety but assured him that the doctors would come to monitor his health issues. Dayi further requested that the court provide him with a Xhosa-speaking interpreter after he complained that the Zulu interpreter failed to execute his job diligently. The police in the Western Cape are still searching for the remaining two suspects who are believed to be Dayi's accomplices.