No refuge at police station
Witness tells court how victim ran into police station thinking he would be safe from his attackers. Later, he was burnt alive.
NELSPRUIT – “I thought we would find safety at the police station, but that was not the case.” These were the words of Mr Lorly Nkosi, a state witness in the murder trial of a former Mbombela municipal manager accused of burning a man alive.
Ex-municipal manager, Mr Bruno Vilane (47) and his son Mr Nhlahla Bruno Jr (23), Mr Welcome Zwelithini Tsela (22), Mr Andile Lawrance Masuku (20) and Mr Makusile Mahlangu (29), appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court. They face charges for the murder of Mr Benjamini Ncongwane (35). He was killed on Christmas Day, 2009 after suffering third-degree burns when petrol was poured over him before he was set alight. Nkosi (cousin to the deceased) said he woke up to the sound of a gunshot. He said he went outside and saw that a police vehicle and Ncongwane’s car were parked in front of the house. According to Nkosi, the deceased was on crutches after having undergone a leg operation.
“I asked them who was shooting. The two police officers told me my cousin’s vehicle was seen at a crime scene.”
Nkosi said a officer phoned Vilane who arrived hastily at their house. “He started threatening my cousin.”
He said when the police and Vilane left the house to lay charge against Ncongwane, he, his cousin and his sister decided to go to the police station themselves as they feared for their lives due to the death threats.
“When we arrived at the station, I saw Vilane in his Nissan bakkie and a Corsa bakkie with the other accused in it.” Nkosi said he tried to calm the men down while his cousin went into the station for safety.
“Vilane followed him into the station.” He said they thought they would have been safe in there but there was only one official in the charge office. “Masuku took my cousin’s crutches away from him and then Vilane pushed him against a corner of the police station and tried to strangle him.
“I intervened again, I was on my own trying to protect Ncongwane against them.”
Nkosi said when he felt the situation had calmed down, he left but thought his cousin would still be safe as he was still in the station.
A barely alive Ncongwane was rushed to Barberton General Hospital with serious burns.
He disclosed the names of his attackers before he died. The trial was postponed until January 10. All five accused are out on R5 000 bail.
