Did Siam Lee suspect fake his death?
● The state is awaiting results of fingerprint tests from a body said to be that of Philani Ntuli, the man accused of the kidnapping, rape and murder of Durban escort Siam Lee.
His lawyer Reial Mahabeer said nine days ago that Ntuli had died, but those involved in his prosecution are not convinced of the authenticity of the death certificate.
Sources close to the investigation said fingerprint testing was ordered to rule out the possibility that Ntuli had faked his death to evade trial next month. The results are due tomorrow.
Lee, whose massage services were advertised on the adult website redvelvet.co.za, was abducted in January 2018 from a Durban North house that was operating as a brothel.
Her abduction followed a “date” with Ntuli, after which she told her mother she “never wanted to see that man again”. Her charred body was found in a sugar cane field two days later.
Acting KwaZulu-Natal director of public prosecutions Elaine Zungu told the Sunday Times: “The alleged death of the accused is presently being verified by the [police] at the instance of the National Prosecuting Authority.
“The matter remains on the roll as previously adjourned to July 29 2019 for a pre-trial conference.” It would fall away only if Ntuli’s death was confirmed.
Police spokesperson Lt Col Thulani Zwane said: “We can confirm that we are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.”
When Ntuli last appeared in the Durban high court, he was thin and on crutches. He had previously claimed to have kidney problems, but Mahabeer said he died from skin cancer. During his bail application, he did not mention having health issues. Sources told the Sunday Times Ntuli had been in hospital prior to his alleged death but that he had died at home. They said photographs had been taken of his body and though it appeared to be him, the fingerprints had to be checked.
The state has samples of Ntuli’s fingerprints and DNA from when he was arrested two weeks after Lee’s body was found in New Hanover. Ntuli was also charged with an unrelated rape.
While the police investigation continues, Ntuli’s family plan to bury the body at Sobantu, near Pietermaritzburg, today.
His grandmother, Eunice Dlomo, said: “We still say he is innocent. He was a very good man. A businessman who looked after his family.”
A cousin, Lungani Dlomo, said Ntuli had been “very sick” since he came out of prison.
The alleged death of the accused is presently being verified by the [police] at the instance of the NPA Elaine Zungu Acting KwaZulu-Natal prosecutions chief