The Ngqeleni magistrate’s court on Thursday heard how a senior Nyandeni politician and his four co-accused allegedly kidnapped and killed a 32-year-old man they had suspected of housebreaking and theft in Libode.
Nyandeni finance portfolio head councillor Zola Mevana, 47, who is also an SACP district executive member and an ANC branch leader, is accused of being part of a mob that allegedly kidnapped and murdered Phelo Makhunga earlier this month.
He appeared alongside his co-accused, Sibongiseni Maganda, 31, Thando Mziki, 32, Avuyile Zide, 31 and Mnyamezeli Lulwane, 51, after they were arrested by Ngqeleni police last Tuesday.
The accused are from Mangcwanguleni, Masameni,Ngolo and Callaway in Libode.
Makhunga died on the scene at Callaway township in Libode near Mevana’s house.
Reading the charge sheet magistrate Sikhayiso Ngomthi said the accused allegedly assaulted Makhunga with sticks until he died at Callaway in Libode on February 5.
Initially, the five were facing only a murder charge, but after state prosecutor Michael Bradfield and his colleague Apinda Madikizela consulted with the investigating team, the charge of kidnapping was on Thursday added to the charge sheet.
The court was packed to capacity resulting in some people listening to court proceedings from the passage.
There were about 10 Nyandeni municipality councillors as well as leaders of the ANC and SACP OR Tambo regional leaders in court.
The case was then postponed to February 19 for formal bail application and the accused was remanded in custody .
Makhunga’s uncle Lindile Makhunga said his nephew will be buried on Friday at Ndanya village near Mdlankomo in Ngqeleni...