Three appear over chief whip's murder

Three men appeared in the Mhala Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the murder of Ehlanzeni district municipality chief whip Johan Holme Ndlovu, Mpumalanga police said.

Five men were arrested last week. However, two of them could not be linked to the crime, Captain Leonard Hlathi said.

The case was postponed to January 19 for further investigation and to allow the three men to apply for legal aid.

Life Khosa (22) his brother Modi Khosa (23) and Bongani William Mkansi (27) would remain in police custody, he said.

The group was arrested in Nyongane near Hazyview last week and found in possession of a firearm, which was allegedly used to kill Ndlovu, and two cell phones which also belonged to him.

Ndlovu was shot in the chest, left hand and buttocks in the early hours of last Wednesday.

His body was found by family members in a bush in Bushbuckridge after an unidentified man told his wife where to find him.

Public violence
Hlathi said another 39 people were arrested on Friday, in connection with Ndlovu’s death, for public violence.

The group, which includes 11 minors, went to the house of a family member of one of the three accused for Ndlovu’s murder, with the intention of setting it alight, he said.

“When the group arrived at the house police were there already protecting it.

A police vehicle was damaged, all the windows were smashed.

“We’re not sure why they wanted to attack the house,” Hlathi said.

All 39 were expected to appear in the Mhala Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon.—Sapa