Murder suspects plead not guilty

eMzinoni Police are looking for Mr Ntokozo Magagula who is linked to the murder of Mr Kubuludu Mbulawa.

Mr Mbulawa was found dead in his home on 28 June with several axe wounds.

According to the police, on the day that Mr Mbulawa was killed, an undisclosed amount of money and his car were stolen.

The car was found in Piet Retief.

Six suspects, including a local pastor, two pupils from eMzinoni High School, Mr Mbulawa’s friend and his driver, were arrested and appeared in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 30 July.

Messrs Mduduzi Magagula and Lindani Maseko, applied for bail and pleaded not guilty.

In their testimony they said they were forced by Mr Ntokozo Magagula to go to Mr Mbulawa’s house.

They said they went to him to borrow R50 so they could buy more beer and Mr Ntokozo Magagula said he did not have money, but he had a plan to get some.

They said when they heard what the plan entailed, they refused to go along.

“He threatened to kill us if we did not go with him.

“We we arrived at Mr Mbulawa’s house, we were told to stand guard,” said Mr Magagula, the younger brother of Mr Ntokozo Magagula.

Mr Magagula was shaking and could not speak further and told the court that he was fearing for his life.

Mr Maseko also confirmed that they were forced to go to Mr Mbulawa’s house.

He said they refused, but “Ntokozo forced us to go, because we already knew about the plot.

“I tried to get out of it, but Ntokozo threatened me with an iron axe.

“We went with him because we feared for our lives.

“On our way, we met Mr Mbuzini, Mr Mndebele and a man we do not know from eMbalenhle.

“We were told to fetch a woman in town.

“We refused and were then instructed to keep guard unless we wanted to be killed.”

He said the co-accused went to Mr Mbulawa’s house.

The woman called Mr Mbulawa and he opened the gate and she entered the house.

“I saw Mndebele entering the house.

“They tied Mr Mbulawi, removed the lights and closed the door.

“I then returned to where I was placed.”

After the crime, Mr Mndebele came to them and pointed a gun at them and told them not to talk to anyone about the matter.

He said they returned home where they saw Ntokozo’s bloody hands.

“Ntokozo gave us R200 and told us to flee to Piet Retief.

“He told us not to be scared, because there was a police officer who would help us to not get arrested.”

Messrs Jan Masilela and Mbutini Mahlangu denied being involved in the killing of Mr Mbulawa and denied knowing their co-accused.

Mr Mahlangu said he was in Kriel on the day the crime was committed and Mr Masilela said he was with Mr Mbulawa the night before he was killed and left his house earlier that night.

“I was shocked when some boy from my hood woke me and told me he was killed.”

The case was postponed to 6 August.

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