Chief in court over ‘love triangle’ murder

An Eastern Cape chief has appeared in court charged with beating to death a man he allegedly caught sleeping with his wife.

Mputumi Sigidi, 40, of the Amasundwane Traditional Council in Xobo Location, is accused of the gruesome killing of his former confidante, Samkelo Qhingqoshe, 28.

On Tuesday, investigating officer Constable Ntomboxolo Joni testified in the Dutywa Magistrates’s Court that Sigidi should not be given bail.

Earlier in the day a crowd outside court called for Sigidi to be jailed and the cell keys “thrown away”.

A relaxed-looking Sigidi was not granted bail and the case was postponed to Wednesday.

Sigidi’s lawyer, Zukisa Ntelezi, said Sigidi would plead not guilty.

Joni said Sigidi faced a further charge of attempted murder and kidnapping a second man. She said the man was also accused of sleeping with Sigidi’s wife and assaulted, and that his life was spared after his family paid Sigidi R15000.

Joni told the court Sigidi “interfered” with her investigations by ordering his relatives to ask the victims to pardon him. Police were tracking down a second suspect.

She said Sigidi was on bail when Qhingqoshe was killed. In 2013 he was arrested for driving without a licence and obstructing a traffic officer from carrying out his duties, she said, and in the same year was convicted of stock theft and crimen injuria. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za