MBOMBELA – Five of six Lowvelders who stand accused of kidnapping, murder and assault at an initiation school in Mpumalanga, will appear in court again on July 24. The sixth accused’s dementia has rendered her incapable of standing trial.
December Makhubela and Messrs Micheal Bulunga, Boetboet Mkhabela, Foster Masinga, Sillo Malope and Ms Gertrude Maphanga-Tsebetse were arrested after two incidents were reported to the police in 2009.
On July 29, Mr Mandla Mabuza was allegedly abducted from the vicinity of his home and taken to an initiation school, where they tied him with a wire and hit him with a knobkerrie.
A month later, on August 29 that year, the accused allegedly killed Mr Vusi Zola Madonsela.
During their bail hearing, it transpired that Makhubela had one previous conviction – he was found guilty of housebreaking in 1999.
Bail of R1 500 was originally paid by the accused. However, after Masinga failed to appear at a previous court appearance, his bail amount was increased to R3 000, which he paid.
Maphanga-Tsebetse was diagnosed with dementia in September 2014. Consequently, her trial had been separated from the other five accused. Her condition remains unchanged and she has not yet appeared in court again.
