MIDDELBURG – The case against four men accused of killing Thembeni Mnguni and Wanda Mahlangu of Laersdrift has been postponed to Wednesday, September 25, to secure another Chichewa interpreter. The delay occurred after the current interpreter left the courtroom to attend to what was described as an “urgent” matter.
The accused appeared on Tuesday, September 17, for a formal bail application, which had already been delayed on September 10 due to the unavailability of the Chichewa interpreter.
One of the suspects in the Laersdrift farm murder case, Stephan Wilson from Malawi, was left uncertain as his Chichewa interpreter unexpectedly exited the courtroom earlier today.
Wilson, alongside farm owner Reinhardt Steyn, Chriswell Masilela, and Dumisani Luthuli, is facing charges of murder, assault, kidnapping, and malicious damage to property. This follows the discovery of the burnt bodies of Thembeni Mnguni and Wanda Mahlangu, who were reported missing, under a bridge on Van Dyksdrift Road in Middelburg two weeks ago.
A vehicle believed to belong to Mnguni was also found torched not far from where the bodies were located.
May Mahlangu, the uncle of Wanda Mahlangu, expressed frustration with the judicial delays, stating that the prolonged proceedings are adding to the family’s grief. “These continuous delays are prolonging our suffering. We are eager for this case to be concluded so that justice can be served, and we can find closure,” he said.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed its readiness to proceed with the bail hearing. “We are fully prepared and have already stated our intention to oppose bail, as the accused are facing a Schedule 6 offence, which is very serious,” said Monica Nyuswa, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga NPA.
