VUYO MKIZE
HE KIDNAPPED two neighbours, tied their hands and feet with rope and shoved them inside his car boot. One of the men died and another was injured after they were beaten because Nkosinathi Dladla, 40, believed they had broken into his house, stealing his cellphone, while he and his wife were away.
That is the State’s case against Dladla, who appeared in the Johannesburg High Court yesterday.
On the night of December 17 last year, Sibusiso Mazibuko was at home in Emndeni South, when Dladla and some other men approached him inside his house, the State claims.
In documents filed at the court, the State says: “He (Dladla) and his companions accused him of having stolen his cellphone. Dladla and his companions assaulted Mazibuko, tied him with rope and put him in his car. Dladla drove with Mazibuko in his vehicle to a hostel, where he was assaulted.”
After the assault, Dladla drove to Anele Magobiyane’s house, also in Emndeni, and accused him of robbing him of his cellphone. Magobiyane was dragged out of bed and assaulted. He died at Jabulani fire station on the morning of December 18 as a result of blunt-force injuries, according to the documents before court. Mazibuko was taken to Chris Hani-Baragwanath Academic Hospital for treatment.
Dladla faces two counts of kidnapping, murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The trial was adjourned until September 5. He is in custody.