‘SIPHAMPANANA, LOVER ATTACK: SUSPECT FACES 2 ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES

MBABANE - Nkosinathi Dan ‘Siphampanana’ Duma’s alleged assailant has appeared in court charged with four counts.

‘Siphampanana’ is the popular radio theatrical actor, who is also known for radio adverts. 

 He is the man who was attacked while in his house with Thembisile ‘Tem Tem’ Lukhele, who is believed to be his girlfriend. Lukhele is well-known in the social circle around Mbabane.

The alleged assailant has been identified as Ricardo de Sousa, who happened to be in a love relationship with Lukhele but they had separated. 

De Sousa (35) of Dalriach East in Mbabane made his appearance before Acting Mbabane Senior Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati yesterday.

Charges 

He is facing two attempted murder charges. In the first count, De Sousa is alleged to have locked Duma in his house and further set the house on fire from which latter nearly died. 

In another attempted murder charge, de Sousa is accused of locking Lukhele in the house and further setting it on fire. The duo was attacked while inside a house rented by Duma at Sidwashini in Mbabane.

They are currently admitted to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where they are fighting for their lives. 

They were transferred to the RFM from the Mbabane Government Hospital due to a shortage of beds at the Mbabane Government Hospital ICU, according to Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula in a previous interview. 

De Sousa was also charged with arson in that he allegedly set on fire the house with immovable property belonging to Duma. It is alleged that the immovable property was burnt to ashes. 

De Sousa has further been charged for contravening Section 77 (1) (a) of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018. He is accused of assaulting his former girlfriend (Lukhele) with fists all over her body. 

The assault incident happened on September 7, 2020, according to the charge sheet. It is alleged that de Sousa was wanted by the police for the assault offence when he allegedly attacked the duo. 

The Crown applied that de Sousa be remanded in custody until October 9, 2020 pending committal to the High Court. 

He was brought early to court. When he arrived, he was escorted to the courtroom where he sat quietly on a bench. After some time, de Sousa signaled to one of his relatives who were present in court.  

He had a brief discussion with his relative. Their conversation could not be captured but it was in relation to a lawyer. 

De Sousa was later engaged by a lawyer who only identified himself as T.N. Sibandze. He then had a brief moment with well-known lawyer Noncedo Ndlangamandla who left immediately afterwards. 

Injuries 

When called to the accused dock, de Sousa was represented by Sibandze. Noteworthy was that he had some injuries on his face, particularly next to the eye and behind the ear. There was information to the effect that de Sousa was attacked by a mob after he was allegedly found next to the burning house. 

His relatives had a moment with him before he was taken back to the police station. They also offered him a jacket.

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