Friends assaulted and dumped in various dams in Springs
It is alleged the group were witnesses to a house break-in incident where laptops and cellphones were stolen in Kwa-Thema.
Kwa-Thema – The families of mob justice victims Nathi (24) and Nhlakanipho Ngwenya (31) are pleading to be shown the dam where the pair was dumped in the early hours of Saturday morning.
It is alleged the pair together with their three friends Bavumile, Sandile Nkosi (40) and Mbongeni Nene (23) were kidnapped, assaulted and thrown into various dams around the Springs area.
The three friends Bavumile, Sandile and Mbongeni survived to tell the tale. It is alleged the group were witnesses to a house break-in incident where laptops and cellphones were stolen in Kwa-Thema.
The suspect handed himself over to the police on Friday afternoon after escaping from the angry mob.
On Friday night the mob visited the Bavumile’s house in Mzombe demanding that the friends reveal where the stolen goods were sold.
Mbongeni said they were assaulted and stripped. They then forced Mbobengi, Nhlakanipho and Nathi inside the boot of the two cars they were travelling into the dams.
“They assaulted Nathi and Nhlakanipho until they lost consciousness and later dumped their bodies in a dam. The suspects then took a decision to dump my body in a dam in Nigel,” he added.
Mbongeni said they drove around until the car was stationary for over an hour and it was quiet outside.
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“I escaped by unlocking the boot by forcing my finger through the lock. I noticed that the car was parked at a house in Ext 3 in Kwa-Thema, I ran into a house asking for help but they refused to help but gave me pants to cover up my body.
“I ran into a woman who was on her way to work who agreed to pay for my taxi fare to drop me at home,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sandile was dumped in a dam in Endicott. She survived the ordeal by holding on to the reeds.
“I screamed for help until a motorist, who had stopped on the side of the road to relieve himself, heard my screams.
“He threw a rope for me to tie around my torso and managed to pull me out. He offered to drive me home to safety. I survived by sheer luck,” he said.
Missing Nhlakanipho’s sister, Mbali Ngwenya is demanding to know where her brother’s body was dumped.
“We have accepted that he is dead. All we want is to give him a dignified funeral and for the suspects to be arrested,” she said.
Ekurhuleni SAPS district spokesperson Nelda Sekgobela confirmed that they are investigating cases of missing persons, kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
