WESTONARIA - The wheels of justice turn slowly.
That's certainly the case in the Bekkersdal tavern massacre.
The matter has been postponed to 22 January for the results of ballistics tests.
The NPA is hoping the firearms found on the suspects will be linked to the mass shooting.
Eleven suspects were initially arrested, but only five remain in custody.
Police have moved to clarify that the five Lesotho nationals in court for firearms possession have not been linked to the Bekkersdal massacre.
Finality on that matter depends on the outcome of ballistics tests.
Numbers have been an issue.
Eleven arrests were initially confirmed, including ten suspected illegal miners.
For now, five of the ten have been released.
The community remains two-minded.
They're pleased with progress, but wary about some of the processes, including the revision of the number of suspects.
It’s hoped that witnesses will return to the province so an identity parade can be held.
Police are also hoping that the results of ballistics tests on the firearms found with the five suspects will confirm whether they were involved in the mass shooting that claimed ten lives at this tavern and in the surrounding areas.
- eNCA's Hloni Mtimkulu reports.