Hit-man's nest cracked open
2003-02-09 16:05
Mandla Zulu and Wonder Hlongwa
Durban - Police in KwaZulu-Natal have cracked open a hit-man's nest following this week's arrest of Mboneni Mdunge, alleged killer of Nellie Shabalala, the wife of Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder and singer Joseph Shabalala.
A few days after the dramatic arrest of Mdunge at his home in Nkandla, police also swooped on his alleged lieutenants in the nearby town of Kranskop, in connection with last year's contract killing of prominent taxi boss Lindelani Buthelezi.
Mdunge had evaded police for almost a year, living in caves in the mountainous terrain between Inkandla and Kranskop.
The investigating officer, Inspector Ndumiso Ngcobo, said they had to camp near Mdunge's hide-out for five days before nabbing him at about 01:00, when he arrived home to eat.
Ngcobo said while Mdunge was being arrested, he told the police: "You guys are lucky. I've known for a long time that you are looking for me. I've just come out of my cave for food."
Ngcobo told City Press that Mdunge managed to evade the police and army even when an attempt was made to track him down with helicopters and binoculars.
"We failed with helicopters because there was no place to land and we knew that he was extremely dangerous," said Ngcobo.
Police said they were satisfied with Mdunge's co-operation regarding their investigation.
Mdunge told police he was not at Shabalala's wedding as he earlier claimed.
He, however, wept uncontrollably when he was asked about his relationship with the Shabalala family.
Nellie was shot execution- style in May. Her stepson, Nkosinathi, was arrested for allegedly hiring Mdunge to carry out the killing. Nkosinathi is out on R20 000 bail.
Mdunge will appear in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Shabalala: 'God will forgive him'
Shabalala, who was with his wife when she was shot, sustained a bruise to his hand.
He later extended a hand of reconciliation to the killer, saying God would forgive him.
Shabalala married Thoko Maduna last month.
The marriage sent shockwaves through the community as it happened soon after Nellie's death and before her tombstone was even unveiled.
Nellie's sister, Ntombifuthi Zulu, praised the police for their hard work.
She said she hoped the truth about her sister's killing would finally be known.
Swoop on hit-men
In a bid to clear the Kranskop and Inkandla areas of their notorious breed of hit-men, police swooped on six young men this week, just one day after Mdunge's arrest.
They were found with several automatic rifles, including AK47s and R4s, and pistols, among other items.
All six will appear in the Kranskop Magistrate's Court on Monday. Captain Zethembe Chonco said the youths were also suspects in several crimes, including the murder of Buthelezi.