KZN cop held for corruption
2003-09-08 18:03
Durban - A Durban policeman investigating the Ladysmith Black Mambazo murder case was taken into custody on Monday and will appear in court on Wednesday in connection with a charge of corruption, police said.
Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo said the policeman, an inspector, was investigating the murder of Neli Shabalala, the wife of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Joseph Shabalala, who was killed in her house at Clermont on May 15, 2002.
Neli's stepson, Nkosinathi Shabalala, is standing trial in the Durban High Court for the murder of his stepmother with co-accused Mboneni Mdunge.
A cellphone expert has told the court that the two accused had cellphone contact with each other on the day of the murder.
The inspector was arrested outside the court when he allegedly accepted a R10 000 bribe for being "unable to trace an important witness". Naidoo said the witness was, in fact, easily traceable.
The arrested officer would remain in custody until his appearance in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, Naidoo said.
- SAPA