DURBAN - The case involving a 20-year-old alleged hitman arrested for an ANC councillor’s murder has been postponed to May 13 for formal bail application.
Lalela Zondi made his second appearance at the Greytown Magistrate’s Court on Monday and the matter was postponed to next month.
He was arrested and charged for the murder of Thembinkosi Lombo who was killed on February 25.
Lombo, who was ward 13 councillor under Umvoti Local Municipality in Greytown, had just left the council meeting to buy food at a nearby shop when he was shot and killed, allegedly by Zondi.
Lombo’s wife, Thobi Mbali, told the Daily News on Monday that she was expecting to see the suspect for the first time but could not, since the matter was heard in camera.
Zondi was arrested in Jeppestown in Johannesburg two weeks ago and made his first court appearance in Greytown Magistrate’s Court last week.
The ANC regional secretary, Bheki Lembede, commended the police for the arrest but said his party was keen to know the motive, because he did not think the young man had an issue with Lombo, saying he believed he was a hitman hired to assassinate their councillor.
Lembede said he believed the truth would come out.
“We wish to commend the police for the arrest but we are more interested in the motive of the killing and the people who had organised the murder of our comrade,” said Lembede.
He added that the by-election to replace Lombo has been set for June 1, as he was a ward councillor.
A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said although Lombo had told her who the people who had a problem with him were, she would not speculate and would want to see who the police or the suspect reveal in the matter.
Police national spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said the man was found by the political killing unit in Johannesburg and was charged with murder, adding that police have not ruled out the possibility of arresting more suspects in the matter.
Daily News