Second man appears in strangling case

A MOLWENI man, alleged to have tied up and strangled a woman to death, was joined in the dock yesterday in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court by a 25-year-old who had initially been charged in relation to being found with the dead woman’s car.

Ntombifuthi Wendy Zulu was killed in her home during a house robbery in October, where her car was stolen in Molweni.

Siphosethu Dlamini, who was allegedly found in possession of her car, appeared last Wednesday, where it was indicated he would be linked to the alleged murder and charged alongside Sboniso Blessing Mthembu.

“On the last occasion, only one accused was before the court, which was accused one (Mthembu), and the matter was adjourned for bail application accused two (Dlamini), who is now an additional accused in the matter,” said State prosecutor N Xulu in court yesterday.

Dlamini, in addition to the charge of being found in possession of suspected stolen property, now faced three more charges. He is also charged with murder, housebreaking with intent to rob, and robbery with aggravating circumstances, all charges Mthembu already faced.

Last Wednesday, Mthembu had chosen to abandon bail. Yesterday, the 25-year-old, who appeared visibly stressed and had his hand cupped over his face, abandoned his bail.

The matter was adjourned and would sit again in a week’s time when Dlamini would be making a formal application.

“Bail is opposed for both accused. The State requests an adjournment, the docket is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, which requested the docket. Bail investigations are also to be carried out,” said Xulu.

After the murder matter was dealt with, Mthembu was led out of the dock, and Dlamini remained behind for the State to deal with his matter of being found with Zulu’s car.

The case was adjourned to the same day as the murder case, and Dlamini was expected to apply for bail.

Xulu indicated that the State would be opposing Dlamini’s bail bid. “The accused (is involved) in another matter today, and due to this appearance, the State is opposed to bail.”

The State alleges that on or about October 20, Zulu’s home was broken into, and after assaulting her, Mthembu took her Chevrolet and keys as well as her cellphone.

Dlamini is alleged to have been found in possession of a Chevrolet in Hillcrest, for which there was reasonable suspicion that it had been stolen, with the accused unable to give a satisfactory account of its possession.