New Somerset Hospital 'shooter' back in court, evidence still being gathered

30 June 2022 - 17:36 By TIMESLIVE
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Western Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile lays a wreath at Sea Point police station during a memorial service on May 13 2022 for Const Donay Delano Phillips, who was shot at New Somerset Hospital. File photo.
Western Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile lays a wreath at Sea Point police station during a memorial service on May 13 2022 for Const Donay Delano Phillips, who was shot at New Somerset Hospital. File photo.
Image: Esa Alexander

A former police constable accused of fatally shooting three people, including a policeman, at New Somerset Hospital appeared virtually in the Cape Town magistrate's court on Thursday.

Jean-Paul Carl Malgas, 39, from Vredenburg on the West Coast, faces three counts of murder, illegal possession of a firearm, ammunition and robbery. During a previous appearance in May, he told the court he suffered from depression and was suicidal.

However, on Thursday he told the court his health was improving under treatment.

Malgas allegedly disarmed and shot 32-year-old Const Donay Phillips in the head inside the hospital in May. He then allegedly shot two patients who died on the scene.

Const Donay Delano Phillips.
Const Donay Delano Phillips.
Image: Supplied

Advocate Adenaan Gelderbloem told the court on Thursday that DNA reports, a prima residue report, two postmortem reports (the state has received one so far), witness statements, ballistic reports and an identity parade were still outstanding.

“The accused told the court his health was getting better as he was getting treatment. His lawyer requested that he be physically present in court at the next appearance as he needed to consult his client,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.

“Previously, Malgas told the court he was not going to apply for bail. He has not indicated that he is changing that position, but if he does, the state will oppose his bail application.”

Sister Diane Seale, a nurse at the hospital, was applauded for calming the situation after the shooting by hugging and chatting to Malgas until he agreed to be sedated. 

“I walked towards him and hugged him,” she told TimesLIVE.

“Eventually he agreed for me to sedate him. Through it all I sat with him, stroking his forehead until he was sedated. At this point I could call the [police] tactical team to subdue him. 

“When I walked out everyone was there. My team was there and safe. This gave me the encouragement I needed to push on.”

Parliament’s portfolio committee on health called for “vigorous engagements and discussion” to address the issue of police officers entering hospitals with firearms.

TimesLIVE

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