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MBABANE – A traditional healer and his siblings are alleged to have killed a man who told Siphofaneni police that if a man who had previously hacked him were to die, he would be responsible.
The traditional healer, Wandile Nkambule of Phuzumoya in the Lubombo Region, was arrested together with Sakhile Nkambule, Ncamiso Nkambule, Xolani Nkambule, Nkosinathi Bhembe and Gcina Kunene. The offence was committed in February 2023. They appeared at Big Bend Magistrates Court and were remanded in custody pending their committal to the High Court. In their application for bail, Wandile informed the court that on the fateful day, while he was fetching cattle from the veld, he was attacked by the deceased together with his family members.
Incident
“I hasten to mention that a few days before the incident, our brother Thokozani was brutally hacked and assaulted by the deceased and he dumped him at the Siphofaneni Police Station. I am advised that at the police station, the deceased stated that in the event Thokozani died, his family should not hesitate to look for his killers no further than him.
“On the following day we were called by nurses at RFM Hospital, who informed us that our brother was admitted and we should bring him clothes since they were discharging him. We were perplexed to learn of the said ordeal and rushed to the hospital. At RFM Hospital, the nurses insisted that he was being discharged but we were not pleased, looking at his condition,” said Wandile. He submitted that they proceeded to Sidvokodvo Police Station, where they reported the incident. Wandile alleged that the desk officer called Siphofaneni police and asked if they were aware of the matter and they answered to the affirmative.
Burnt
Wandile informed the court that on the same night, a motor vehicle belonging to Sakhile was burnt to ashes and the other one had all its tyres pricked by the deceased. He alleged that the police had difficulties reaching his parental homestead because of a trench that had been dug by the deceased. “On this fateful day, when I was attacked by the deceased, he was threatening me that I was going to experience what befell Thokozani. I tried to escape and called for help.
“The deceased first hacked the fourth applicant (Xolani) with a bush knife and they fought over the bush knife, at the same time I was trying to escape from the wrath of the people when I heard a gunshot. Upon inspecting, I saw my uncle Mkhumbi carrying a gun and eventually vanished into thin air. The deceased was lying in a pool of blood.” The applicants are represented by Maqhawe Dlamini of M.V. Dlamini Attorneys. The other applicants filed confirmatory affidavits. The Crown opposed the bail application. The matter will be argued before Judge Ticheme Dlamini.