Tribal leader murder suspects in court

TWO suspects accused of the gruesome murder of KwaDube Tribal Authority leader Hendrick Mahlawula, briefly appeared in the eSikhawini District Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Sabelo Zungu (33) and Bongani Nkwanyana (38), who are already serving prison sentences for other crimes, are charged with shooting Mahlawula in his car at eMabuyeni in December 2014.

They were arrested by the Provincial Task Team last month and charged with murder.

Mahlawula was on his way home from a community event with other passengers when he was attacked by armed men travelling in a Citi Golf vehicle.

His car was riddled with 16 bullets.

He sustained two bullets wounds in his upper back and one in his leg and died on the scene.

It was suspected that his killing was linked to a dispute which arose after he was appointed as Council Administrator by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), following the death of Acting Chief Charles Chili.

His appointment had resulted in angry protests by villagers, who misinterpreted the appointment as a power takeover.

However, it was later revealed that his duty was to merely take over the Tribal Council duties while Cogta and the Dube family decided on the rightful person to take over the chieftancy.

The case was postponed to 1 March for further investigation.