SIXTEEN people arrested in connection with the murder of an elderly church archbishop, his wife and their son appeared in court yesterday.
All the accused chose to conduct their own defence despite being warned by magistrate Mzwanele Dintsi of the seriousness of the case.
They were arrested on Tuesday and are between the ages of 20 and 27.
Julius Nomaqhiza, a 72-year-old Ethiopian Zionist Church archbishop, was killed when he tried to rescue his 29-year-old son Ayanda from a mob near a local tavern in Lugwijini village in Mbizana on Saturday night.
It is alleged the mob then moved to the Nomaqhiza’s five-roomed house and set it alight.
The archbishop’s wife MaGqema Nombeko Nomaqhiza, 65, was burnt to death but the couple’s 14-year-old granddaughter managed to escape through a back window.
The accused each face three counts of murder and arson.
Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci earlier said the motive of the murders was believed to be linked to witchcraft.
The case was postponed to August 6 for a formal bail application and the accused remain in custody.
The accused are Siphamandla Shusha, 26; Monwabisi Mpitsana, 25; Sinovuyo Somngcayi, 21; Mbulelelo Shibe, 27; Lufefe Zangwa, 24; Sibahle Tshutsha, 21; Lungile Zangwa, 27; Bhekezakhe Khwetshube, 27; Simbongile Nyembezi, 28; Lwandile Mgulwa, 21; Sihle Nyembezi, 25; Fika Radebe, 26; Bulelani Zangwa, 26; Msizi Mpintsana, 20; Anele Mbiza, 27; and Mbulelo Songcayi 26. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Family's killer mob in court
All the accused chose to conduct their own defence despite being warned by magistrate Mzwanele Dintsi of the seriousness of the case.
They were arrested on Tuesday and are between the ages of 20 and 27.
Julius Nomaqhiza, a 72-year-old Ethiopian Zionist Church archbishop, was killed when he tried to rescue his 29-year-old son Ayanda from a mob near a local tavern in Lugwijini village in Mbizana on Saturday night.
It is alleged the mob then moved to the Nomaqhiza’s five-roomed house and set it alight.
The archbishop’s wife MaGqema Nombeko Nomaqhiza, 65, was burnt to death but the couple’s 14-year-old granddaughter managed to escape through a back window.
The accused each face three counts of murder and arson.
Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci earlier said the motive of the murders was believed to be linked to witchcraft.
The case was postponed to August 6 for a formal bail application and the accused remain in custody.
The accused are Siphamandla Shusha, 26; Monwabisi Mpitsana, 25; Sinovuyo Somngcayi, 21; Mbulelelo Shibe, 27; Lufefe Zangwa, 24; Sibahle Tshutsha, 21; Lungile Zangwa, 27; Bhekezakhe Khwetshube, 27; Simbongile Nyembezi, 28; Lwandile Mgulwa, 21; Sihle Nyembezi, 25; Fika Radebe, 26; Bulelani Zangwa, 26; Msizi Mpintsana, 20; Anele Mbiza, 27; and Mbulelo Songcayi 26. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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