Community anger after Mpembeni murder cases postponed once again

PATIENCE is wearing thin among Mpembeni residents after the murder cases against two men have been postponed once again.

The investigating officer requested more time to examine all the evidence when Justice Ngwane and Meshack Ngwane appeared in two local courts.

The duo first appeared in the eSikhaleni Magistrate’s Court last Friday relating to the murder cases of Vusi ‘Gundane’ Dube and Ntuthuko Dladla. The cases were postponed to Wednesday.

On Tuesday they appeared in the Ngwelezana Magistrate’s Court for the murder of Wiseman Hadebe, but the case was postponed to Wednesday, 27 August.

Even though Justice is only charged with three murders and his uncle faces two murder charges, residents believe they also killed other businessmen in the area since 2017.

The pair was arrested in February this year and has been in and out of court for bail applications.

Justice has been held in police custody since his arrest, while Meshack has been granted R15 000 bail over a month ago.

The continuous court postponements have left the community frustrated.

‘We had hoped the cases would have been finalised by now, but we keep coming to court and nothing ever happens,’ said one of the victim’s family members.

However, some community leaders believe the prosecution has to be given enough time to ensure the cases were water tight.