SEVEN suspects in the murder of Mbo Welcome Menyuka (25), who was kidnapped, beaten to death and buried at the beach in Nhlabane in 2014, are to stand trial next week.

After a preliminary appearance by the suspects at Mtubatuba High Court last September, the trial was moved to Mtunzini High Court and is scheduled to commence on Monday.

Bongani Mbuyazi, an Nhlabane tuckshop owner, and his six co-accused were arrested after Menyuka’s body was found in a shallow grave in November 2014. Controversially, the suspects were released from prison under strict bail conditions in December of that year.

Community members were outraged at the suspects’ release, saying Mbuyazi could be linked with other murders and disappearances in the area since 2008.