Mob justice lands Folweni residents in court
A group of Folweni residents appeared in the Durban High Court in connection with a deadly vigilante-style attack that claimed three lives and left two others severely injured in 2023.
A GROUP of 10 residents from Folweni appeared in the Durban High Court on April 17 in connection with a violent vigilante-style attack that left three men dead and two others severely injured in 2023. The victims were allegedly targeted over suspicions of theft and other criminal activity.
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Mbali Shazi, 31, Lungelo Makhanya, 23, Vusumuzi Ngcoya, 66, Babili Cele, 22, Siyamthemba Sibiya, 20, Simphiwe Ngidi, 38, Nkululeko Nkomo, 47, Goodman Nkwanyana, 44, Mhlengi Mbili, 23, and Sbusiso Shaza, 48, face three counts of murder, arson, conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of attempted murder.
The victims, Lindani Mthethwa, Wandile Gumede, and Tshepo Mkhize, died in the attack, while Lwazi Mthethwa and Siyanda Mkhize were left injured.
According to the prosecution, the victims had been living at a residence owned by Ntombifuthi Mthethwa in the same area.
The prosecution alleged that on the night of August 16, 2023, at around 21:00, the accused approached Ntombifuthi’s home while armed with various weapons.
“The group confronted Ntombifuthi and demanded access to the individuals in question. They then went to the part of the property where the victims were sleeping and began assaulting them with the weapons they had brought,” said the State.
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Following the initial assault, the victims were allegedly tied with ropes and relocated to a different structure within Ntombifuthi’s property, which was subsequently set on fire.
Though Lindani Mthethwa managed to escape despite his injuries, he was pursued and assaulted again. He died on the scene from sharp force injuries to his neck and chest, according to the indictment. The arson charge stems from the accused allegedly setting fire to Ntombifuthi’s home, with the intent to cause harm to her and damage her property.
The case has been postponed until May 8 to allow the accused to obtain new legal representation.
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