Cops on high alert after Ndlovu murder
2011-01-11 10:28
Johannesburg - Mpumalanga police were on high alert in Thulamahashe following a "violent rampage'' by 39 people who allegedly intended burning down the house of a relative of murdered Ehlanzeni district municipality chief whip Johan Holme Ndlovu.
"We are on high alert, and remain so... the situation at the moment is quiet, but if something has to arise again we are there to contain the situation," Captain Leonard Hlathi said on Tuesday.
The 39 - 11 of them teenagers - appeared in the Mhala Magistrate's Court on Monday. They were released on free bail and would appear again on February 28.
They were arrested on Friday after police received information about the incident.
Mob
"We became aware that a mob was outside the house of Ndlovu's family member. They were armed with stones and intended to burn down the house. They even pelted a police car... luckily no one was injured."
Meanwhile, three other men appeared in the Mhala Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with Ndlovu's murder.
Hlathi said five men were arrested last week in Nyongane near Hazyview. Two of them could not be linked to the crime.
The case was postponed to January 19 for further investigation and to allow the three men to apply for legal aid.
Life Khosa, 22, his brother Modi Khosa, 23, and Bongani William Mkansi, 27, would remain in police custody.
They were found in possession of a firearm, which was allegedly used to kill Ndlovu, and two cellphones which belonged to him.
Ndlovu was shot, a few kilometres from his home, in the chest, left hand and buttocks in the early hours of Wednesday.
Relatives found his body in bushes in Bushbuckridge after an unidentified man told his wife where to find him.
- SAPA
