Bail hearing of 10 murder accused postponed

THE case of 10 men arrested in connection with the torture and murder of four men in Mpangana village outside Libode, was yesterday postponed to Monday for a formal bail application.

The accused, aged between 19 and 37, were arrested for kidnapping and killing Vuyisa Mtsubho, 39, his cousin Vuyani Mtsubho, 35, Sibongile Kholo, 55, and Mngceleni Qiliphela, 47, on June 30.

The victims were accused of stock theft.

Three close relatives of some of the victims – Yandisa Mtsubho, 20, Sifiso Mtsubho, 21, and Wanda Mtsubho, 20 – appeared alongside Philasande Dywabasini, 23, Sivuyile Dzayi, 24, Thobela Nojikili, 29, Sibalindile Mbatha (age unknown), Mvuyisi Sokhweba, 37, Ndiphiwe Ngezana, 21, and Solwethu Notsonono, 19, at the Libode Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The 10 accused are facing four counts of kidnapping and four counts of murder.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali said more charges would be added, and more arrests were expected.

They were not asked to plead. Three of the 10 accused also appeared in the same court for the attempted murder of another victim, Chuma Sodo, who was badly beaten, his feet burnt and left to die in Mpangana last month.

They accused Sodo, who was in court struggling to walk, of housebreaking.

The 10 accused were represented by private law firm F J Ngxola Attorneys.

The Saturday Dispatch understands that one of the deceased, Sibongile Kholo, was killed after his son was found with two stolen sheep at Chagubha village near Libode.

Also, one of the Mtsubho cousins, Vuyani, was seriously injured earlier this year when he was attacked in his house after he was accused of stock theft.

Meanwhile, the village is collecting R100 per household to raise funds for the bail of the 10 accused and villagers have refused to dig graves for the four men.

Religious leaders have also failed to hold prayer sessions at the victims’ homes. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za