Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Tsenulo Moyo
TEN men from Nkayi in Matabeleland North Province have been arrested for allegedly terrorising villagers by assaulting, kidnapping, and stealing their property.
Bukhosi Lunga (19), Nkosentsha Dube (28), Doubt Mkhothamo (22), Thabiso Dube (30), Dumoluhle Khanye (22), Xolelani Khanye (39), Khethani Khanye (28), Talent Mkhothamo (27), Themisani Mkhothamo (24), and Kenny Khanye (70) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Joseph Mabeza each facing two counts of kidnapping and three counts of unlawful entry into premises.
They all pleaded not guilty to all the charges. They were remanded out of custody to 10 December for continuation of trial.
Circumstances are that on 26 October 2024, at the Tshangane River, the 10 accused persons allegedly kidnapped Mlamuleli Ndlovu, assaulted him, and struck him with machetes, knobkerries, and axe handles several times all over his body.
The court heard that on 28 October 2024, the 10 accused persons went to Mduduzi Ngwenya’s homestead in the Bhodabhoda area.
They used axes and hammers to break open the door and entered Ngwenya’s bedroom, assaulting him by pelting him with stones from catapults and hitting him with axe handles and machetes several times on his body.
After that, they took him and locked him up at Kenny’s homestead for about six hours.
It was further alleged that on 28 October 2024, the 10 accused persons again went to Obvious Ncube’s homestead in Magwayi village, broke the door using axes and assaulted Ncube by hitting him with axe handles and machetes several times all over his body.
The gang is alleged to have kidnapped Ncube and went to lock him up at Kenny’s homestead again for about six hours. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the 10 accused persons.
