MBOMBELA – The trial of the seven men who were arrested in connection with the death of aircraft-maintenance engineer, Mr Teboho Ntabe, will be transferred to the High Court. Ntabe was killed when an oncoming vehicle hit him while he was fleeing from hijackers on November 30
last year.
On Monday the case against the accused was postponed to September 29, a day before the 10-month anniversary of Ntabe’s death. Local police spokesman, Capt Dawie Pretorius, said the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) made the call that the case would be investigated until it is ready for trial, whereafter it will be transferred to a High Court with jurisdiction over our region.
Messrs Thamsanqa Lungelo Shongwe (in custody), Bheki Maxwell Mkaya, Sakhile Vuyo Moshaga, Thabiso Malele, Mxolisi Irvin Khoza, Esseu Thabiso Mndlovu (in custody), and Const Nhlanhla Phillip Mavimbela were arrested between November 2014 and February this year. During a previous bail hearing, investigating officer Capt Boy Elias Mkhari relayed the events that led to their arrest.
According to Mkhari, Shongwe, Mkaya and Moshaga caught a lift home from Mombela’s H2 Tavern. At around 04:00, the bakkie they were travelling in ran out of petrol and they spotted Ntabe asleep in his Ford Ranger, parked next to the road.
They tried to hijack him but he broke free from their grip to flee across the road. He was fatally hit by an oncoming VW Polo.
Mkhari testified that the suspects drove the stolen bakkie and picked up Malele and Khoza.
On their way to sell the stolen vehicle to policeman Mavimbela, they ran out of toll money. Khoza phoned a contact at Kaapmuiden’s Police Station who arranged that the Ford Ranger could pass through.
When the suspects stopped at the police station to borrow more money, two police officers became suspicious. A few questions about the bakkie’s ownership led to the arrests of Shongwe, Mkaya and Moshaga and Malele. Khoza, who escaped from the scene, Mndlovu and Mavimbela, were later arrested as the investigation unfolded.
While five of the accused have been charged with hijacking and murder, Mavimbela faces charges of obstructing the ends of justice and conspiring with the other four in their alleged crimes. The charges against Mavimbela will be confirmed
on September 29.
