Gang rivalry the alleged cause of murder
Four people arrested in connection with an apparent gang-related murder at Extension 6 in Elukwatini near Badplaas will reappear in the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court next Monday.
ELUKWATINI -Zweli Zulu (18), Jabu Hlophe (18), Siphesihle Gule (20) and a minor who cannot be named, will appear for a formal bail application.
Sgt Peace Mbokane, Elukwatini police spokesman, said the accused were denied bail during their last court appearance last Monday.
The quartet was arrested on March 16.
Their arrest came after police were tipped off by a concerned community member who had allegedly witnessed the incident.
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It was reported that the victim, Ntuthuko Nkosi (17), tried to flee from those who were chasing him, but the attackers outran him and started to assault him.
The informant who witnessed this ran to a safe place in fear of the attackers hearing him as they assaulted the helpless Ntuthuko.
After the noise subsided, the informant came out of hiding and directed the police to the scene, where the victim was lying in a pool of blood in the nearby bush.
His face was swollen and he had multiple open wounds on the face, which seemed to have been caused by sharp objects.
He later succumbed to his injuries.
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Mbokane said apparently the reason behind the attack was a gangsters’ territorial rivalry.
He said it is believed that the victim had stepped into the prohibited territory of the rival gangsters, called the “Straghens,” and broke the code of limits.
He said while police were on the scene, they obtained information that assisted them in their investigation.
“While they were searching the suspects’ hideout, two dangerous weapons, a panga and a Rambo (knife) with blood stains on them were found. These weapons are believed to have been the ones which were used in the alleged crime,” added Mbokane.
