A MAN apparently filled with rage and acting out of revenge allegedly killed three people and wounded two others in an attack that horrified residents of Emndeni in Soweto last year.

Sizwe Victor Gwala, 31, appeared yesterday in the Johannesburg high court on three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The charges stem from a killing spree on the morning of February 28 last year.

According to court papers, Gwala and his cousin were driving along Biyela Street when they hit a child.

An argument ensued after which residents beat up the pair.

The papers state that Gwala returned to the scene wielding two firearms in both hands, fired shots and killed Jabulile Emmah Vilakazi, Albert Khumalo and Mbuyiseni Khanyile.

He also wounded Jeffrey Abednigo Mkhwanazi and Bhekazana Tshabalala, who are both expected to be called as witnesses.

According to postmortem reports, Vilakazi died as a result of a "bullet wound in the head", Khumalo succumbed to "gunshot wounds to the abdomen and leg" while Khanyile died from a "penetrating gunshot wound to the abdomen and complications thereof".

Gwala is also accused of pointing a firearm at Isaac Ntakadzeni Mphabantshi and Khathutshelo Leonard Mabila, robbing the latter of a cellular phone.

Gwala allegedly stole Mphabantshi's Volkswagen Polo, laptop and cellular phone minutes after the three murders and attempted murders.

The case was postponed to June 6 for trial.