Wanay Farao, one of the co-accused in the Wynberg Court murder case, saw her bail application suffer a significant setback when her own family members declared they did not want her back, citing her past behaviour and disrespectful conduct.
Farao appeared alongside her co-accused – Shireen Matthews, Abubaker Adams, Brian Booysen, and Vuyisani Zengethwa – at the Wynberg Magistrates Court. All five are charged with the premeditated murder of former taxi owner Dingalomoya Cintso, who was brazenly gunned down inside the same court building on 8 April 2025, raising serious questions about security within South African courts.
While all five accused appeared in court, only Matthews and Farao proceeded with formal bail applications. However, Farao's hopes of securing bail were dashed when affidavits from her mother's partner and her uncle revealed a fractured relationship and a reluctance to have her return home.
Farao, who is alleged to be the gun smuggler in the case, had claimed she was "fortunate to enjoy the support of her mother and family, who want to see her released on bail”. However, this assertion was directly contradicted by her mother's partner in his affidavit.
The court documents quoted him as saying: “Wanay Farao is very rude to me and to my wife. I still remember when she was calling my wife a ‘k***** vrou’, disrespecting her. I do not want her here again, not at this house.”
Adding to Farao's woes, her uncle also submitted an affidavit detailing her past behaviour when she lived with them. He stated that she would come home late, was rude, and worked as a sex worker. Furthermore, at the time of her arrest, she was on the run with her boyfriend and co-accused, Booysen.
The case stems from the 13 April shooting of Chintso, who was himself an accused in a murder case at the time of his death. Matthews, 35, is believed to be the mastermind behind the hit. She is reportedly the girlfriend of a senior member of the Junky Funky Kids (JFK) gang.
According to court documents, the motive for Cintso’s murder was the belief that he was responsible for the murder of alleged Junky Funky Kids gang leader Ashley “Essie” Phillips on 30 January outside of the Brackenfell Police station.
The documents further allege that should Matthews be released on bail, she would evade her trial, disturb the public order, and endanger the safety of the public due to having a long list of other charges against her dating back to November 2017.
During court proceedings last week, it also emerged that Adams, the second accused, sustained injuries while in custody at Pollsmoor Prison. His lawyer told the court Adams had fallen down a flight of stairs but was neither taken to hospital nor provided with any medical attention.
Matthews had initially planned to testify during the bail hearing but has since changed her mind. Her defence team told the court she will now submit an affidavit instead.
All five suspects are charged with aiding and abetting in criminal gang activity, murder, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful possession of firearms with the intent to commit an offence. Booysen also faces charges for the unlawful supply of firearms and ammunition.
Farao said she’s able to pay bail of R2 000 and Matthews can pay R5 000.
Defence lawyers for all five requested a postponement, and the matter was adjourned until 9 July. The accused remain in custody. The case is expected to resume next Friday when the formal bail application will be heard.
The rejection by Farao's family is a significant blow to her bail application, potentially influencing the court's decision regarding her release. The case continues to highlight the ongoing issues of gang violence and security concerns within South Africa's justice system.
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