Macekane murder accused refused bail

MACEKANE residents celebrated on Tuesday after the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court refused to grant bail to four men accused of murder.

The residents picketed outside the court while the accused, Thulani Mthembu (35), Sifiso Mthembu (32), Sikhumbuzo Shandu (31) and Philani Mthembu (22) were in court finalising their bail hearing.

They were remanded in police custody and are expected back in court on 22 April for pre-trial proceedings.

The men face charges of kidnapping and murdering Nontobeko Mtshali (18), who was last month beaten to death in Macekane.

She was kidnapped and beaten to death with a four pound hammer, allegedly as retribution for stealing a cell phone belonging to one of the suspects.

While the cell phone was recovered before Mtshali and her friend were assaulted and kidnapped, the men were reportedly angry that the SIM card was missing from the phone.

The deceased’s friend managed to escape and led police to the place the men had taken them.

One of the suspects was still at the scene after having had a flat tyre. A search for Nontobeko was initiated and her body was found in the bushes nearby.

A resident, Zamantusi Ngema said the community wants justice to prevail.

‘We are here to support the family. We are grateful the men were refused bail, considering what they did to the innocent girl. As a woman, I feel the pain her mother feels right now and the only thing that might console her is for them to receive long sentences,’ she said.