Xolani Xulu hobbled into the dock on Monday to face attempted murder charges following a shootout with police which left nine people dead at the weekend.
The 29-year-old, who had a bloody bandage wrapped around his left arm, appeared in the Durban magistrate's court. Xulu was arrested on Saturday in Isipingo, south of Durban, after police clashed with 10 men who are alleged to have been in the process of committing a robbery.
Xulu's alleged accomplices were
shot dead during the shootout.
"The police officers placed themselves on duty and the suspects arrived. Immediately when they saw the police officers, they fired shots. There was an exchange of gunfire," said SAPS spokesperson Capt Nqobile Gwala.