THE wife of a local chief has been linked to the murder of a young man who was stabbed to death at eMpembeni Reserve last month.
During the bail application of Thobani Nduli at eSikhawini Magistrates Court on Wednesday, the investigating officer told the court evidence showed the leader’s wife gave the suspect a knife which was used to kill the victim.
The chief’s wife’s name has been withheld until she is arrested, and according to the investigating officer it is only a matter of time before she is nabbed for her part in the murder.
Sphamandla Mlungwane (19) was reportedly stabbed several times in his back after a quarrel with the suspect. According to his brother’s statement and to other witnesses, the fight happened at Mxoleleni Tuck shop.
‘Sphamandla was standing next to the counter waiting to buy some chips. I noticed a female, the shop owner, giving the suspect a knife. ‘My brother went into a room and the suspect followed him, grabbed him and stabbed him,’ said the witness.
In a surprising twist of events, during the court case eMpembeni residents continued their support of the murder suspect.
They demanded his immediate release from the holding cells, praising him for killing Mlungwane.
According to community members who packed the court room, the deceased was involved in many criminal activities in the area including robberies, theft and even murders.
Howeve, these allegations were not supported with any evidence.
With the case intensifying, the court could not rule on the bail application, saying the decision will be made when the case resumes on 8 July.
The suspect remains in custody until his next appearance
