Nquthu Speaker’s case adjourned to May

The high profile murder case of Nquthu Council Speaker, Vusi Ntombela, continues to attract a ‘full house’ at the High Court, which is currently in session at the Dundee Magistrate’s Court.
Mbhekiseni Khambule was in the dock and is accused of hiring hitman, Sibongiseni Mdakane, to shoot dead Mr Ntombela at Luvisi Primary School – where he was a teacher – in June 2015.

Mr Ntombela was shot dead and 12-year-old pupil, Elisabeth Nhleko, fatally wounded after a stray bullet fired by the gunman hit her.
On March 29, Simphiwe Thokozani Ntombela, was called to the witness stand where he testified to his involvement in the killing of Mr Ntombela and how the planning of the killing was pursued.

On March 30, state witness, Mpiyakhe Thembinkosi Sithole, testified to being the ‘middleman’ in the killing.
The Court heard how Mr Sithole made arrangements to hire the hitman and to make sure the murder was carried out.
He also stated that he received instructions from Khambule as to’ what to do and who to get.’
The witness was cross-examined by the defence until March 31. On April 1, the case was adjourned to May 16 in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
The trial date has not been finalised and will be decided on May 16. It was made clear that the court will ‘endeavour’ to return to Dundee to continue the trial as there is a lot of public interest here.

Mbhekiseni Khambule is set to remain in custody. The triggerman, Mdakane, is currently serving a life sentence for the double murder.

For more stories on the Nquthu shooting, click:
Nquthu speaker shot dead
Learner passes away
Nquthu gunman sentenced to life for murder