Durban - A man apparently linked to the 2012 murder of National Freedom Party (NFP) councillor Bongani Shelembe has appeared in a KwaZulu-Natal court, police said on Friday.
Major Thulani Zwane said Skoni Patson Sithole, 47, appeared in the Msinga Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. His case was postponed to June 1, and he was remanded in custody.
Sithole was arrested on Tuesday, after he failed to appear in the Greytown Magistrate’s Court in 2012, Zwane said.
He was due back in court following his arrest in 2012 after he was allegedly found in possession of an AK47 rifle. Sithole was granted R1000 bail and never appeared in court again. A warrant for his arrest was issued.
“The same suspect has been linked to the killing of an NFP councillor Bongani Shelembe ,52, and [another] of Zama Zuma, 21, in the Msinga area in 2012.
“It is alleged that Shelembe was driving his vehicle with two passengers when they were attacked by unknown suspects. Two [of them] were shot dead and the third victim sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
“The suspect will now face two counts of murder and attempted murder charges,” said Major Zwane.
Shelembe was the chairman of the Msinga branch of the NFP.
ANA