Alleged KBS member Deng Machok charged with attempted murder of rival gang 051 member’s brother

A man charged over an attempted stabbing murder in Adelaide’s CBD “snuck” up behind the victim – a rival gang member’s brother, a court has heard.

An alleged gang member charged over an attempted stabbing murder “snuck” up behind his unarmed victim before stabbing him in the heart in Adelaide CBD, a court has heard.

Deng Atem Machok, 20, of Kilburn was among a group of men – allegedly members of the Killa Block Squad gang, known as KBS – who targeted another unarmed man whose brother is alleged to be a member of rival gang, 051.

The two groups of men clashed on Clubhouse Lane, just off Hindley St, about 12.50am on January 30, 2022. The victim was found nearby on Blyth St suffering life threatening injuries and rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Mr Machok appeared via video link in the Supreme Court on Monday seeking release to live with his mother on home detention bail, after earlier pleading not guilty to a charge of attempted murder over the incident.

Georgina Venn, prosecuting, told the court prosecutors were opposed to Mr Machok’s release on any form of bail due to the gravity of the alleged offending, risk of reoffending and for his own protection in custody.

“The accused… sneaks up behind… with his hand in his left pocket,” she said.

Blyth St in the city where a 22-year-old man was stabbed in January 22. Picture: Renato Castello

“He walks up to the complainant and while front on to him stabs him twice in the chest with the first stab unfortunately hitting the right ventricle.”

She said the victim, whose brother was a member of rival gang O51, was stabbed a second time in the chest and underwent open heart surgery, which he was “fortunate” to survive.

She said Mr Machok had been stabbed himself three weeks earlier allegedly by a member of the rival 051 gang.

“The inference available… is that this is in some way some kind of retaliation for that attack,” Ms Venn said.

“There are ongoing tensions between these two gangs,” she said.

Police last year revealed the feuding Sudanese gangs were at the centre of a number of violent incidents across Adelaide last year and created a task force, dubbed Operation Meld, to stem their violent interactions.

Ms Venn said an affidavit from police explaining the feud would later become available this week.

Justice Sandi McDonald watched footage of the incident in court which she noted initially appeared as though it was going to be “some sort of fist fight” before the stabbing unfolds. The court heard another man had been “baiting” the victim prior to the stabbing.

Patrick Dawes, for Machok, said there was “no evidence” his client, who is also known as Nelson Machok, or the victim’s brother were members of any gang, or rival gangs.

“It’s even more speculative to suggest there is some motive at play between gang membership and what’s occurred.”

He said investigations were underway into Mr Machok’s mental fitness to stand trial with one psychologist already finding he was unfit to stand trial.

He said those investigations would take some time, meaning his client would spend further time in custody ahead of any trial – for which a date was yet to be set.

Justice McDonald adjourned the hearing until Friday.