Man found dead after ‘umgidi’ binge

KING William’s Town police arrested 55 people over the Christmas weekend for drunk driving and assault among other crimes as they cracked down on lawlessness.

It was a busy weekend for police as the suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from drunkenness, contravention of protection orders, drunken driving, theft, common assault, possession of drugs and possession of stolen property. They appeared at different magistrates’ courts yesterday.

King William’s Town acting cluster commander Colonel Nomonde Mene said police were in full force to track down perpetrators.

“The police are urging drivers to be responsible and have warned they will not be sympathetic to those who break the law. We will keep on doing stop-and-search and roadblocks to prevent crime in our area,” she said.

● A 52-year-old man was found dead in the garage of a home in Sunnyside, Amalinda at the weekend. East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said Kenneth Mgcambo was found dead after attending a traditional homecoming ceremony.

“Mgcambo was found dead in the garage, where he was sleeping with other men. The men had been drinking together the whole night as they were attending umgidi,” Mqala said. She said no foul play was suspected.

● Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said four suspects were arrested on Christmas Day for stealing a truck in West Bank.

“The stolen truck was spotted by members of our flying squad who gave chase and apprehended the suspects on Mdantsane Highway,” he said, adding the truck was empty when it was recovered.

The suspects will appear at the East London Magistrate’s Court today.