Dambuza kidnapping and murder: 5 appear in Pietermaritzburg court
A man was killed and buried in a shallow grave, while another, who was shot and left for dead in the bush, survived.
Five men accused of kidnapping and murdering Mbongiseni Shazi in Dambuza, KZN, appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The accused, Ntuthuko Mbudu, Thubelihle Mthiyane, Samkelo Gogela, Lindokuhle Ntshizi Thuso and Luthando Nkosingiphile Radebe, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping, and the attempted murder of Shazi’s friend, Sphesihle Mjwara.
According to the police, it is alleged that on March 17, 2023, Shazi and his friend Mjwara were assaulted in a house in the area for allegedly stealing shoes, a bag and a cellphone.
Shazi was killed and buried in a shallow grave near the Msunduzi River, where his decomposing body was discovered 14 days later. Mjwara, who was shot and left for dead in the bush, survived.
Police also said that Shazi and Mjwara were beaten with a sjambok and knobkerrie. A family member told The Witness that police had assisted in the search for Shazi, leading to the arrest of one suspect, Radebe, on March 22.
He subsequently pointed out where Shazi was buried. Yesterday, the prosecutor called Mjwara to testify; however, he had left the court.
The state then moved on to a second witness, who testified that he had seen Shazi and Mjwara tied up in Gogela’s home.
“I was on my way home from work when I noticed a crowd near Gogela’s home. I entered the house and that’s when I saw Shazi and Mjwara tied up. Shazi was naked.”
The trial continues.
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