Mahlalini murder trial: 6 witnesses dead
MBABANE – Six witnesses, including an accused person and an investigator, have died during the course of a murder trial.
The murder trial resulted from tensions over who should take over as chief at Mahlalini Umphakatsi.
Former Mbabane Highlanders midfield maestro Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze is the Chief of the area. His installation as chief was blessed by Their Majesties late last year.
His installation as Mahlalini Umphakatsi chief and the period leading to that had its fair share of confrontations between the factions that were for and against him taking over as chief. During a funeral at Mahlalini in 2015, a murder was committed as the tensions between the warring factions simmered on and four men were arrested. These are Zwelithini Sibandze, Melusi Sibandze, Sanele Sibandze and Sikhumbuzo Sibandze.
The quartet is alleged to have killed Sigwili Sibandze on July 4, 2015 at Mahlalini, in the Shiselweni Region. They are alleged to have acted in common purpose to commit the murder. The charge sheet states that they allegedly assaulted Sigwili with fists and kicks all over the body and stabbed him in the head with an unknown object.
The accused persons were also charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, in that they allegedly assaulted Nelsiwe Mabuza with fists and kicks all over the body.
Among the accused persons, Sanele lost his life during an accident. The police officer who investigated the matter also died. Among the witnesses, four died in various circumstances. Notably, the witnesses who died were key in the case of the Crown, which is represented by Senior Crown Counsel Mandla Dlamini. The matter is heard by Judge Bongani Sydney Dlamini. The accused persons are represented by Bongani Dlamini.
The Crown had lined up 21 witnesses, who included four police officers, three magistrates court interpreters and residents of Mahlalini.
Dragged
On the day Sigwili was murdered, Mantongomane Sibandze was allegedly dragged to a graveyard by a group of boys who were drinking beer. The community had just completed digging a grave at the graveyard in preparation of a funeral the following day. The boys are alleged to have manhandled Mantongomane and threatened to set him alight ‘for having dethroned their preferred heir to the Mahlalini chieftaincy’.
At the graveyard, according to the summary of the evidence of one of the witnesses, Mantongomane was ordered by the boys to speak to the dead Sibandzes and bid them farewell as they were about to kill him. Sigwili is said to have emerged to intervene. He is alleged to have asked the boys what they were going to Mantongomane.
Sigwili is said to have been called by Mjoco Sibandze and David Sibandze, who told him that the boys were assaulting their father, Mantongomane, at the graveyard. Sigwili was in his house sleeping with Tsabile Sibandze and Lamvorotsi when the duo came to call him.
Sigwili is said to have rushed to the graveyard, which is near the homestead and Mjoco and David alleged that they heard noise coming from the graveyard and they could tell that there was commotion there. They said they reported the matter to the police.
“After reporting to the police they went to the graveyard to check in their brother Sigwili. When they arrived at the graveyard they found the deceased lying facing down with blood on the head.
“When they tried to wake him up he was motionless. Paramedics were called and they promptly arrived. They confirmed that Sigwili was dead,” reads part of the indictment.
The quartet of accused persons is alleged to have gone to Aaron Sibandze at 7pm on the same evening. They allegedly informed Aaron that ‘sesilinyalelwe ngubabe Sigwili’.
They requested him to find alternative accommodation for them and they spent the night at Mathendele in Nhlangano. Together with one Mkhetfwa Sibandze, Aaron took the four boys to Nhlangano Police Station, where he surrendered them.
Sibandze took over the reins as chief of Mahlalini Umphakatsi
following the death of his father, Senator Chief Khondlo Sibandze, who died in 2010.
He was unveiled to the Sibandze household on August 25, 2012 during a traditional ceremony called kutombeka which was held at the
umphakatsi.
He was also given the instruments of power (tindvuku) by his uncle Samson Mpunguzana Sibandze, an elder brother to the late chief.
The instruments of power were handed over to Xolani inside the
umphakatsi’s kraal, where there was singing and dancing of traditional songs.
Praises
The soccer star was also showered with praises after the inyongo was put around his right hand by his uncle. Mpunguzana informed this publication on August 27, 2012, that they were still to present him to Ludzidzini Royal Residence to be blessed by the Ingwenyama and Indlovukazi as per dictates of Swazi culture and custom when installing a chief. He said the kutombeka ceremony came after members of the Sibandze family agreed, following a series of talks, that the perfect candidate to replace the late chief was his second born child, Xolani.
The new chief designate was 22 years old in 2012. During the proceedings, the former soccer star was flanked by his elder brother Ncamiso, uncle, Mpunguzana and grandfather, Mjoco. The trial is pending in court.