Trio appear in court in connection with Mkhondo councillor’s murder

Three suspects, Andile Gamede (32), Blessing Ntombela (30) and Bongani Dlamini (38), appeared in the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Monday January 30 on charges of three counts of murder and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.

The case has been postponed to February 14 for a formal bail application. The suspects were remanded in custody. Gamede said he would not apply for bail.

The suspects were arrested in relation to the murder of a ward councillor, Sbonelo (Mthembu) Ntshangase (36), his mechanic, Sandile Khumalo (51) and his friend, Sizwe Mbingo (40). The victims were allegedly shot by armed suspects in Mkhondo (Piet Retief) on Friday January 13.

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The three had been shot and killed in Longhomes Township. According to information, Ntshangase and Khumalo were dropped off by Mbingo, who was driving a bakkie, at an unknown location when three armed men appeared. The suspects fired multiple shots at Ntshangase and Khumalo. They also opened fire on Mbingo, who was still inside his bakkie. All three were fatally wounded. Thereafter the suspects fled.

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According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, a provincial police spokesperson, a case was opened and a team of investigators was immediately assembled after the shooting. “The team made a breakthrough after receiving information on the whereabouts of the suspects who were arrested on Monday January 16. During the arrest, an automatic rifle with ammunition was confiscated. They were charged accordingly.”

Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, the provincial police commissioner, urged members of the public, the families and colleagues of the slain victims to remain calm and to allow the police to bring the perpetrators to book and the law to take its course.