Mandla Khoza
Eleven villagers accused of setting alight a pastor after accusing him of using an invisible magic penis to sleep with women, still don’t know whether they will face trial on charges of murder and arson.
This comes after their case was again postponed in the Boschfontein Periodical Court on Thursday until September 29.
Twelve villagers, aged between 28 and 50, were arrested in February after Albert Malwane, a pastor of the Izwi Zion Christian Church in Jeppes Reef, south of Malalane, was burnt to death.
One of them, Sunnyboy Mthalala, died on May 16 after complaining of painful and swollen feet, and vomiting blood.
Villagers said Malwane’s family had placed a curse on those responsible for his death. Malwane’s father Timothy confirmed that a curse was released at the pastor’s funeral to haunt his son’s killers.
Malwane was dragged from his one-roomed house in the Etitandini settlement near Jeppes Reef and taken to a hill, where he was set alight.
His house was also burnt, and his wife and daughter went into hiding.
Residents had accused the pastor of talking to animals and using an invisible penis to sleep with women in the informal settlement.
His wife was also accused of turning into a snail and terrorising the community.
The accused are all out on R1 000 bail each. – AENS