The primary suspect in the highly publicized Shakahola massacre, Pastor Mackenzie is set to remain in detention until December 22, 2023. The court will henceforth decide on the state’s request to extend their incarceration for an additional 180 days awaiting charges.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jami Yamina contended in the application that, given the respondents’ risk of suicide, detention is the least restrictive option while charges and investigations are being handled. She listed several strong reasons for detention pending the conclusion of the investigations.
Pastor Mackenzie to Remain in Detention
The prosecution claims that up to 360 days of lawful detention are permissible under the anti-terrorism laws.
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In addition, Jami disagreed with the recommendations made in the social inquiry reports by the Probation and Aftercare Services department regarding the release of six of the 29 Shakahola suspects.
Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda was informed by him that the suspects must go through de-radicalization to be reintegrated into society.
Even so, their relatives have not offered any justification for why the six won’t hurt themselves.
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Exhumed are more than 420 remains from Mackenzie’s doomsday cult, whose adherents were told to starve to death to “meet Jesus.”
