12 ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF INYANGA IN LAND DISPUTE

MBABANE -Twelve residents of KaSiko have been arrested in connection with the murder of Mandla Khumalo.

Mandla is the traditional healer who was allegedly stoned to death over a piece of land on September 7, 2020 in the area. 

The healer was allegedly attacked along with his family members who also sustained severe injuries. 

Worth noting is that some of the arrested residents form part of the area’s authorities. The twelve made their appearance at the Mbabane Magistrates Court charged with nine counts. The counts include a murder charge, three attempted murder charges, arson and four charges of malicious injury to property. 

The Crown applied that they be remanded in custody until November 3, 2020, pending their committal to the High Court.  The accused persons were brought to court in a Toyota Quantum. 

Their relatives, who were present in court, were advised to meet them at the Mbabane Police Station after their appearance. Not only were the residents accused of the murder of Mandla, they were also charged for setting his house, with immovable property valued at E85 000, on fire. They were also accused of damaging the traditional healer’s car valued at E45 000 during the attack. 

The charge sheet further states that a tractor valued at E80 000 was demaged during the attack on Mandla and his family. 

Two maize tanks full of maize and 35 maize bags were said to have been also destroyed. 

Apart from the alleged murder of Mandla, the twelve are accused of attempting to kill Thandi Zodwa Khumalo, whom they allegedly assaulted with stones several times.

Assaulted 

They are further accused of attempting to kill Gcina Khumalo, whom they allegedly assaulted with stones and kicks several times. 

It is also alleged that the residents stoned Sanele Khumalo several times in an attempt to kill him. 

In an earlier interview, the residents claimed that Mandla, who had a homestead in the area, was constructing a structure on behalf of his son on a piece of land that was allegedly allocated to another resident.

According to the residents, the community member had prepared the land in readiness to construct a structure when the traditional healer, in the company of his children, started constructing a house.  

This, the residents claimed, was not taken lightly, resulting in them ganging up against the traditional healer. 

The residents further claimed that Mandla paid allegiance to Nsingweni Royal Kraal yet the land in question was under the jurisdiction of KaSiko. 

It is alleged that the fight ensued after the mob had approached Mandla with intent to stop him from construction the homestead on the piece of land, which was allegedly allocated to one of the residents.

It is further alleged that the healer stabbed one of the people who were part of the mob with a spear and also hacked him with a shovel during the fight. 

As a result, it is alleged that the mob burnt down Mandla’s property and further pelted his relatives with stones. 

The residents claimed that a resolution to confront Mandla was taken at a meeting held in the area a day prior to the incident. They mentioned that their aim was to inform Mandla that they would destroy the structure which was constructed on the prepared land. The residents had claimed that KaSiko Royal Kraal issued a verdict to the effect that Mandla should vacate the area as he did not respect the authorities. 

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