Two suspects to stand trial for five murders

Two men are set to stand trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for the murders of five people who were shot dead in two separate attacks in Edendale and Imbali more than four years ago. When Mduduzi Thubelihle Mkhize (43) and Nkosinathi Mkhize (30) appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, they were informed that their case would proceed in the high court. The pair face multiple charges including five counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and housebreaking with intent to murder.

The two incidents occurred between December 2021 and February 2022. According to the state, on December 13, 2021, in the Machibisa area of Edendale, Gunneth Gabi Msomi was at home when the accused and other assailants arrived in a vehicle. After Msomi stepped outside, one of the accused allegedly produced a firearm and shot him.

Msomi was taken to Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, where he died on arrival. It is alleged that after the shooting, one of the attackers entered the house and stole a television set before the group fled the scene in a vehicle. In the second incident, on February 3, 2022, at a house in Imbali Unit 14, three armed assailants, including the two accused, entered the home where four people were shot and killed.

[paywall]

Bheki Sibusiso Hlela, Ntombifuthi Constance Hlela, Siphokazi Nomvula Hlela, and Siwinile Nzimande all died at the scene. The attackers allegedly stole several items, including cellphones and a television set, before fleeing.

[/paywall]