BY early December, all seven suspects accused of murdering Mbo Welcome Menyuka in Nhlabane had been released on bail, the court’s decision invoking the anger of the Nhlabane community.
‘We are afraid of what will happen to us and our children.
‘Many people have been killed and disappeared in this area. We don’t understand why the court would give them bail,’ said a leading community member after Bongani Mbuyazi (41) and Nhlanhla Mbuyazi (35) were released ahead of their five co-accused.
The suspects were charged with the kidnapping and murder of Menyuka (25), whose badly beaten body was found buried at Nhlabane Beach in November 2014.
He had been missing since 2 October.
According to the police, the main accused, tuck shop and shebeen owner Bongani Mbuyazi, might also be linked to other murders.
The case has since moved to Mtubatuba High Court where the trial is scheduled to start in late August.
While the suspects were released under strict bail conditions, which included reporting to the Richards Bay Police Station on a weekly basis, community members are still fearing for their lives.
@TamlynJolly
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