Former KZN MPL and ANC veteran Zibuse Mlaba, who was killed allegedly by his cousin Mzamo Mlaba.
Image: Supplied
THE murder case of ANC's member of the provincial legislature, Zibuse Mlaba, returns to the Camperdown Regional Court on Monday following the voluntary handover of one of his relatives to the police.
Mlaba, who was once an interim chief of the KwaXimba clan in Cato Ridge, outer west of Durban, was gunned down at the Wareings Shopping Centre in Cato Ridge in October 21, 2021 outside his office. There were several speculations regarding the motive of his murder.
Last week, his relative Duncan Patrick Mzamo Mlaba, 63, handed himself over to the police in connection with Mlaba's death. His handover follows a confession by Fortune Dlamini, 29, of Georgedale, Hammarsdale, who testified that Mlaba was the mastermind behind the plot to kill Mlaba.
Dlamini made the confession through his lawyer, Mfuneko Jili, at the Camperdown Regional Court. The magistrate confirmed that Mlaba is facing a murder charge of killing his own relative.
Members of the Mlaba family were overcome with grief when Mlaba made his first appearance as an accused last week. Dlamini, who is providing detailed testimony, was arrested alongside Mthobisi Tsebang Dubazana, 30, from eMlazi and Nhlanhla Lungelo Hlongwa, 30, from Masukwana.
One of Zibuse Mlaba's sisters, Nomadlozi Mlaba, was overcome with emotion and wept until she had to leave the court. Mzamo Mlaba was also charged with defeating the ends of justice. It is alleged he bought the guns that were used to kill Zibuse Mlaba.
Last week, the prosecutor Advocate Sanele Ntombela said they could not proceed with the matter because they could not verify Mzamo's residential address.
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the progress in the Zibuse Mlaba case. Mlaba was once a deputy chairperson of the ANC.
"The ANC in KZN welcomes the significant progress in the case regarding the brutal murder of cde Zibuse Mlaba, who was gunned down outside his office in Cato Ridge in October 2021.
"The shooting of cde Mlaba, a former deputy chairperson of the ANC, was heinous and a cowardly act that sought to silence a dedicated servant of the people, but justice is beginning to prevail.
"The ANC commends the law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly to ensure that those involved in the murder and conspiracy to murder were tracked down and brought to book.
"The ANC applauds the sentencing of Fortune Dlamini, who turned state witness, to 18 years imprisonment by the Camperdown Regional Court after he pleaded guilty to coordinating the murder of cde Mlaba.
"This marks a crucial step in ensuring that the masterminds and all those involved in this crime are exposed and face the full might of the law," read the statement issued by ANC's provincial spokesperson Fanie Sibisi.
The ANC called on its members to continue to support cde Zibuse Mlaba.
The case against five men who are accused of killing former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa returns to the Pretoria High Court tomorrow.
Image: File
The case against five men who are accused of killing former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa returns to the Pretoria High Court on Monday.
Meyiwa was shot at Kelly Khumalo's residence in Spruitview, Vosloorus, in the East Rand, on a Sunday evening, October 26, 2014. All the occupants in the house at the time have never been arrested, including Kelly's sister, Zandie Gumede, her then-boyfriend Longwe Twala, Kelly's mother Ntombi Khumalo and Senzo's friend, Tumelo Madlala.
All the accused, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Ntuli, pleaded guilty to the charge of murder.
The trial is a stage where the State is calling its witness.
Another matter that was supposed to go on trial on Monday is the long-running Jacob Zuma corruption trial at the Pietermaritzburg High Court. The trial has been postponed after French arms dealer Thales filed papers to have charges withdrawn.
It is the 17th postponement of the matter.