WATCH | ConCourt hammer attack suspect is a convicted murderer

The man arrested for allegedly breaking windows at the Constitutional Court with a hammer on Wednesday is a parolee with a 2010 murder conviction.

Paul Makaula, 36, was remanded in custody by the Hillbrow magistrate’s court on Friday. The case was postponed to March 25.

The court heard Makaula had been on parole since 2019.

Damages to the court building were estimated at R50,000.

National police spokesperson Lt-Col Robert Netshiunda said on Wednesday police were called in the morning after a man was found breaking windows at the ConCourt in Johannesburg.

When officers arrived, the man was busy with his attack. Netshiunda said he did not stop smashing the windows until police fired a warning shot.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Makaula, from Dobsonville, Soweto, was facing a charge of malicious damage to property, and the NPA was considering adding additional charges. 

Mjonondwane said the NPA would liaise with his parole officer and if found to have contravened his parole conditions, Makaula would be sent back to jail.

She said the NPA was taking the matter very seriously. 

The accused did not apply for bail and will use Legal Aid for his defence.

Makaula entered the dock to the clicking of cameras. He brought with him a large grey backpack. There were gasps when it was revealed that he had a previous conviction for murder.

While the magistrate spoke, Makaula stood with his hands behind his back, clenching a fist open and closed.

Throughout his short appearance, Makaula looked ahead at the judge. Afterwards he turned to look at his brother in the public benches. He gave a brief smile and a thumbs up and returned to the bowels of the court. 

TimesLIVE