The widely publicised case of a brother who shot his two sisters in Mitchell’s Plain is heading to the Western Cape High Court.
Ederies Smith, is accused of fatally shooting his sisters Zainap Smith Jacobs and Gouwah Smith outside a Portlands school.
Smith and his co-accused, Nazmie Lekay, have been indicted in the High Court on two charges of murder and two counts of attempted murder following the shooting that shocked the Mitchell’s Plain community and made national headlines.
The incident took place on 6 November 2025 outside Portlands Primary School, where the sisters had gone to collect Smith’s children after school. According to the State’s case, Smith allegedly opened fire on the women as parents and learners were leaving the school grounds. An adult bystander and a learner were also struck by gunfire during the attack.
The case has since made several appearances in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court, where the State outlined its case against both accused.
@weekendargus Outside the Mitchells Plain Children’s Court today Wadee-ah Smith said while she is hurt by the murder of her two sister-in-laws, her focus was on fighting for her children to be returned to her. 📽 Tracy-Lynn Ruiters /Independent Newspapers #Murder #MitchellsPlain #exclusive #crime ##familydispute ♬ original sound – Weekend Argus
During bail proceedings, prosecutors argued that the shooting stemmed from an ongoing family dispute over the custody of Smith’s children. The State alleges that shortly before the shooting, a Children’s Court ruled that the children would remain in the care of the late Zainap Smith Jacobs pending an investigation into allegations of abuse.
The State further alleges that Smith carried out the shooting before fleeing the scene in a white Volkswagen Polo allegedly driven by Lekay.
According to the prosecution, Lekay acted in common purpose with Smith by transporting him from the scene before dropping him at his residence. The court also heard allegations that Lekay attempted to dispose of the firearm used in the shooting and was allegedly asked to clear video footage linked to the incident. The firearm has still not been recovered.
Earlier this year, the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court denied Lekay bail after finding that he had failed to place exceptional circumstances before the court.
In delivering judgment, the magistrate ruled that it was not in the interests of justice to release Lekay, citing the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the State’s prima facie case and concerns that he could interfere with witnesses or destroy evidence if released.
Image: Leon Knipe
The magistrate also rejected Lekay’s version that he had merely been in the area by coincidence, finding that his conduct did not accord with that explanation. Although the court took into account that Lekay is married, has three minor children and is the family’s breadwinner, it found that his personal circumstances did not outweigh the interests of justice.
With all lower court proceedings now concluded, the matter has officially been transferred to the Western Cape High Court, where the trial is scheduled to commence on 13 November.
The State is expected to call eyewitnesses, forensic experts and investigating officers as it seeks to prove its case against both accused.
