Hospital triple murder case postponed

THE man accused of killing three people at the New Somerset Hospital in Green Point made his second appearance at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday where the matter was postponed for further investigation.

Jean-Paul Malgas, 39, has been charged with three counts of murder, one count of illegal possession of a firearm and one count of possession of ammunition. Malgas abandoned his bail application at his first appearance.

Malgas was not physically present during proceedings and appeared via audio-visual receiver (AVR) from Pollsmoor Prison. The former police officer’s family, however, were present and spoke to him briefly during proceedings.

His mother tried to console him. She asked him how he was doing, to which he responded: “I’m better now”.

Malgas suffered from “severe depression” according to defence attorney Shagan Balram.

Malgas confirmed to the court that he had been taking his psychiatric medication regularly and was stable. Balram then requested that his client be present in court at his next appearance in order to consult.

State prosecutor advocate Adenaan Gelderbloem advised the court that DNA and other reports, as well as witness statements, were still outstanding.

The matter was postponed to August 12 for further investigation.

Malgas was arrested after he managed to disarm on duty police officer Donay Phillips, then opening fire inside the hospital on May 7. Three people including Phillips, Geret Carolus and a homeless man were killed as a result of the shooting.

Malgas was a patient at the hospital and had been admitted after he was shot in the hand by police and was escorted to hospital from Hopefield. He had apparently been depressed at the time of his arrest due to his departure from the police service.

Balram said now that his client was in a better frame of mind they were awaiting further information from the State in order to determine his options. Balram also said the matter was likely to be moved to the high court, given that he was charged with triple murder.