FROM THE HIGH COURT, MAGISTRATES COURT Mob killing: ‘Mum told us she couldn’t control son’

MBABANE – The mother of a man who died after being attacked by a mob for stealing in the community, allegedly told members of the mob that she could not control her son.

The woman allegedly informed members of the mob that she hoped they were taking her son, Philangenkhosi Gamedze, to the police station.

Philangenkhosi’s mother met her son travelling with angry community members, who were looking for other suspects who had committed robberies and housebreaking offences in the area, Ekutsimleni under Chief Maloyi.

The mother allegedly also informed them that she had opened a case against her son at the police station.

This was revealed by Thulani Ndzinisa (21), who is one of the five men who were arrested for the murder of Philangenkhosi. He allegedly died after being assaulted with fists, kicks and sticks all over the body by a mob at Ekutsimleni.

Ndzinisa was arrested together with Ciniso Masilela (28), Samketi Dlamini (43), Sipho Dlamini (33) and Mandla Mawela (36). They were charged with murder for allegedly killing Philangenkhosi on February 16, 2023. Philangenkhosi was confirmed dead upon arrival at Dvokolwako Health Centre.

In his bail application, Ndzinisa said he was innocent of the charge against him and would plead not guilty.

He told the court that he had great prospects of success as he had a good defence to the charge.

The accused narrated that on the day of the offence, he was walking near the sports ground on his way to his house when he saw a group of people gathered there. Ndzinisa said he noticed Ciniso Masilela, whom he knew to be a community police member. Masilela is one of the accused persons in the matter and was granted bail earlier. Ndzinisa said he realised that there was something happening at the sports ground and went closer.

“As I came closer, I confirmed what I had suspected; that it was pertaining to the robberies and housebreakings that had been taking place in the community. I was interested because I myself was a victim and had heard that the Gamedze boy was involved somehow.

Intention

“When I got closer, Ciniso and one Sipho Dlamini had ordered the boys to board a truck. We all got in the truck with the intention of taking them to Qabha Supermarket, so they would tell us more about their criminal activities that had left us all afraid in the community and we no longer felt safe,” Ndzinisa narrated.

“On our way back, we came across the Gamedze’s boy mother, who told us that she hoped we were taking her son to the police, as she herself was having problems with him. She stated that he was now beyond her control and that she had also opened a case against him,” alleged Ndzinisa.

He told the court that when they reached the supermarket, they took Philangenkhosi off the truck and the community members, who were still angry and waiting for him, continued to assault all the boys they had brought.

“I must state that at all materiel times, it was members of the community who assaulted the deceased with sticks on the buttocks and I did not lay a hand on them. Police officers were called to the scene. It is unfortunate that we later learned after the police had taken him that he had passed away,” said Ndzinisa.

One of his co-accused, Sipho disputed that he committed the offence.

He said it was the mob that assaulted the suspect. He also told the court that he was innocent of the offence and would plead not guilty.

He informed the court that it was on a Wednesday afternoon when he visited his aunt at Mliba as usual. He said they were having dinner when one Keke Dlamini warned him to be careful and not leave his clothes hanging and attended because there had been a lot of theft of clothes and other items going on in the community.

He said Keke told him that they suspected a Gamedze boy for the offences.

He submitted that he met one Lulu Mabaso and together they met Ciniso Masilela, who is a community police member and he told them that they were aware of the boys who were stealing people’s clothes and other items in the area.

Sipho informed the court that he went to the sports ground but did not take part when the suspects were assaulted by the mob.

Judge Khontaphi Manzini heard the duo’s bail application.

The court granted them bail in the sum of E50 000. They were ordered to pay E5 000 in cash and the balance to be in the form of sureties. Ndzinisa and Sipho were represented by Noncedo Ndlangamandla and Lindokuhle Shongwe of Mabila Attorneys.