The main suspect in the Shakahola massacre, pastor Paul Mackenzie, and his 28 co-suspects will remain in custody until December 22, 2023, when the court will rule on the state's application seeking to have them detained for 180 more days pending charge.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jami Yamina in the application, listed several compelling reasons for detention pending the completion of investigations.

Further, he has urged that since the respondents pose a suicide risk, detention is the least restrictive measure pending the completion of investigations and charges.

According to the prosecution, the terrorism laws allow for up to 360 days of lawful detention pending the completion of investigations and that parliament. In its wisdom, it extended the days from 90 to 360 days to accommodate complex cases.

Additionally, Jami opposed the release of six out of 29 Shakahola suspects, as recommended in the social inquiry reports conducted by the Probation and Aftercare Services department.

Did you read this?

  1. Court Orders Mackenzie Be Served With Witness Statements In Child Torture Case
  2. Shakahola Massacre: Court Orders Mackenzie To Report Abduction Claim To Police
  3. Families Weep For Shakahola Cult Victims As First Bodies Released

He informed Senior Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda that the suspects' families have not offered a reason for why the six won't kill themselves and that the suspects must go through deradicalization before being reintegrated into society.

Exhumed are more than 420 remains from Mackenzie's doomsday cult, whose adherents were told to starve to death to "see Jesus."