Two initiates killed in fight during traditional homecoming ceremony

TWO initiates have died since the start of the summer initiation season – but this time the deaths occurred while young men were celebrating their safe return home.

The two men were killed in an intervillage fight at the traditional homecoming or umgidi party, reported Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela.

Five young men were arrested in Sulenkama village near Qumbu on Saturday evening following the deaths, said Fatyela.

They would appear in the Qumbu Magistrate’s Court on murder charges, said Fatyela.

He said: “The victims, aged 20 and 22, died after a fight broke out between youths who were attending a traditional initiation ceremony. One was stabbed to death while the other was assaulted as two sets of young people from two different villages clashed.”

The victims had reportedly died on the spot, leading to the arrest of the five young men, aged between 18 and 22.

● Police said a range of suspects would appear in court in Mthatha, Libode and Qumbu today on an array of criminal charges including murder and possession of drugs, illegal firearms and suspected stolen goods.

They were arrested during police raids carried out at the weekend in Eastern Cape towns.

Fatyela said three men aged between 21 and 28 were arrested in Qumbu after two pistols were found in their possession. They were loaded with five and six rounds of ammunition and their serial numbers were filed off. He said the bust was made during random searches in the town.

The firearms would be sent for ballistic testing to find out if they were linked to other crimes committed in the area.

● A woman was arrested in Mthatha on Saturday with a stash of about 25 mandrax tablets worth about R2 500 on the streets.

The woman, 29, was arrested by members of the K9 and police intelligence units, who were conducting random searches on the streets.

She is due to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court today.

● Fatyela said three Mthatha men aged between 21 and 22 would appear in court after they were found to have stolen items worth R10 000. The haul included electrical appliances, clothes, a camera, DVD players and groceries.

Fatyela said: “We caught them near the old market [Jubilee Square] during one of our raids. They are facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property.”

● A man with dagga stashed inside his travelling bag was among those arrested at the weekend, after police stopped a Toyota Avanza on the R61 near Misty Mount.

Fatyela said: “He was travelling to Komani when police stopped the vehicle he was a passenger in. We believe that he was actually on his way to Cape Town.”

The dagga recovered weighed 4.2kg and was valued at about R4 200 on the streets. The suspect would appear in the Libode Magistrate’s Court on charges of dealing in dagga.