Trial against 8 double murder-accused continues in Middelburg High Court
Two victims were killed, while one survived an attack by a group of men.
Eight men, charged with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice on the Bampoenkraal Farm in Piet Retief, appeared in the Mpumalanga High Court sitting in Middelburg on Monday, July 21.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s provincial spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the accused – aged between 25 and 61 – allegedly killed Sifiso Thwala and Musa Nene, and attempted to kill a third victim.
The incident occurred on August 9, 2020. The eight men that are accused are Zenzela Mzikayise Yende, Werner Portgieter, Moses Dlamini, Masodeni Elliot Msongelwa Dlamini, Cornelius Lourens Greyling, Sikhumbuzo Zikalala Nhlabathi, Mzwakhe Dlamini and Nkosinathi Msibi.
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“According to reports, the victims were travelling from Daggakraal to Driefontein when they were attacked by a group of men. The victims were accused of stealing livestock from Bampoenkraal Farm,” she said.
Nyuswa said the accused allegedly assaulted the victims before taking them to a storage facility on the farm. “The trial began with the accused pleading not guilty to the charges,” Nyuswa said.
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The State presented the leading evidence to prove its case on Tuesday, July 22. The matter is set to continue until September 12.
