Protesters: no bail for kidnap-accused duo

A group of community members blocked the street in front of the Libode magistrate’s court on Wednesday, demanding that two men accused off abducting a young businessman and demanding a R1m ransom, not be granted bail.

Dube Mhlanga, 20, and Simon Mdingi, 37, were charged with kidnapping, extortion and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Vuyo Fadana was kidnapped in Corhana, Mthatha on May 13. One suspect was shot dead when police moved in and rescued Fadana at Ngqwara village near Mqanduli.

The case was moved from the Mthatha magistrate’s court to the Libode magistrate’s court because of jurisdiction.

The two accused appeared briefly before magistrate Mpathise Zigwebile, who postponed the matter to June 7 for the second accused to secure legal representation.

The protesting group, which consisted of local business people and community members, some from Corhana and others from neighbouring villages in the Libode area, waved placards and chanted songs against the release of the suspects.

Speaking for the business fraternity, Thembi Nkubungu said they were there to support a fellow businesswoman whose son was a kidnap victim.

“You know the government is always encouraging the youth to be entrepreneurs and start their own thing, but when they do, they become victims of organised crime and we feel it is a spit in their face and really undermines our country’s democracy and our freedoms,” said Nkubungu.

“We are petitioning for a nobail ruling.”

Libode businessman Mandlenkosi Matshakeni said: “We are scared as the Libode business fraternity. We live in fear of being kidnapped and extorted for money by criminals.”

An elderly community member, Nokwakha Gonyela, said: “We were shocked to hear of such a crime, especially in our rural community. We usually see these things on TV.”