RDP contract workers kill suspected gang leader in Emjindini
Ma-Seven died at the Barberton General Hospital on May 31. The three workers of Asishiyelane who had been charged with murder are John Silinda and siblings, Mathousand and Mahashi Mashaba.
A suspected gang member was killed by RDP contractor workers at their campsite in Phola Park, formerly Etingulubeni Settlement in Emjindini, on May 30.
Barberton Times learnt that Majahaonke Nkosi (21), whose nickname was Ma-Seven, had been known for allegedly coordinating an area gang.
In our article in the April 22 edition titled, “Theft seriously hampers construction of RDP houses”, we had reported that RDP contractors workers of Asishiyelane accommodated at the storage site were regularly being robbed and assaulted by thugs terrorising the area.
Asishiyelane project manager, Justice Hlabathi also claimed that their project had been delayed by the rampant theft of building material. He added that they would have to abandon the project should the situation worsen.
Residents and contractor informed the paper at the time that the thefts at the RDP houses and harassment of the workers had been reported to the Barberton Police Station.
When this correspondent visited Phola Park last Wednesday, the area was tense and none of the residents were willing to comment on the incident.
But one of them, who requested anonymity, said Ma-Seven gang members had fled after the attack out of fear for the angry community. He said, “Ma-Seven was a well-known figure in the area. Since 2012, he had been leading the gang. They are known for terrorising residents of neighbouring areas. A lot of people had been robbed and property has been destroyed,” said the resident.
Hlabathi said Ma-Seven had been killed by workers in self-defense.
“He came here and forcefully demanded a Samsung Galaxy cellphone from one of our workers. When he refused to hand it over to him, he broke a bottle and wanted to stab the worker. The other workers then threatened him with a sjambok. He fled but returned with a hoe threatening to hack them. In their defence, the workers took a pick and severely assaulted him,” said Hlabathi.
Ma-Seven died at the Barberton General Hospital on May 31. The three workers of Asishiyelane who had been charged with murder are John Silinda and siblings, Mathousand and Mahashi Mashaba. They appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday June 2 and were remanded in custody after they had been denied bail. They were expected back into the same court yesterday (June 9) and at the time of going to print their verdict was unknown.
