eMalahleni – The family of Lindokuhle Joseph Maphanga, aged 21-year-old from Vosman received a call on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, informing them about the whereabouts of their son and that he will be dealt with if he does not return the cellphone he allegedly stole.
Maphanga and his friend were then brutally attacked and sadly Maphanga passed away.
After investigations, three suspects, aged between 39 and 47, were apprehended and they appeared before the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 30, 2024, in connection with the brutal incident that left one young man dead and another seriously injured.
The suspects, Themba Malaza (47), his wife Nompumelelo Malaza (39) and Mandla Nkwanyana (45), are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and assaulting Maphanga and his 19-year-old friend, Nonkululeko Ntuli.
The victims were allegedly abducted and subjected to a violent assault after being accused of stealing a cellphone belonging to a relative of Mrs. Malaza.
According to initial investigations, the suspects took the two young victims into the bushes near Paxton Correctional Service, where they reportedly launched a vicious attack.
After the assault, the suspects allegedly loaded Maphanga and Ntuli back into their vehicle and dropped them off along the road.
Ntuli was later recognized by community members, who alerted his family.
Both victims were rushed to a nearby clinic, where Maphanga succumbed to his injuries upon arrival.
The remaining two suspects turned themselves in to the authorities on Saturday, the 28th of September 28, with the third individual surrendering the following day.
Upon their brief appearance in court, the accused were detained in custody. Their petition for bail is scheduled for a hearing on October 09, 2024.
Brigadier Lindani Ndlovu, Station Commander of Vosman, addressed the community, urging restraint and condemning vigilante justice. “No one should take the law into their own hands. If anyone is suspected of committing a crime, the police must be notified immediately,” said Ndlovu.
