Mbulelo Arthur Ntlauzana, the 25-year-old man held for the alleged murder of his elderly lover - Nhlanhla Gasa, 63 - told police and some members of his family he killed him after the businessman came on to him during a visit to his uMhlanga home.
Our sister paper, The Sunday Tribune has, through several sources, established that:
- Gasa met Ntlauzana two years ago and took him under his wing to “mentor him in business”.
- It was during one these sessions that Gasa allegedly tried to kiss and fondle him.
- Ntlauzana is a father of three. He has two children with his steady girlfriend and one with a former lover.
On Tuesday, Ntlauzana is expected to confess to the crime.
Last week, when Ntlauzana made his first court appearance, a large contingent of media were anticipating a confession. However, his legal aid attorney, Hycenth Mlotshwa, asked the court for more time to consult with the accused.
Ntlauzana, who has no previous convictions, is facing charges of premeditated murder, malicious damage to property, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Gasa’s body, with multiple stab wounds, was found floating under the John Ross Bridge in the Tugela River last month.
The businessman was brutally attacked in his luxury uMhlanga home. Police found a bloody trail from the house to the garage, leading them to believe Gasa was murdered in the house before his body was bundled into his Jaguar.
The car was found burnt out in KwaDukuza.
Ntlauzana was apparently on the run. He went into hiding in the Eastern Cape, but information given to the members of the provincial task team, headed by Warrant Officer Jomo Govender, led to his arrest at a house in Thembeni last Saturday.
Although it was reported that Gasa and Ntlauzana were in a romantic relationship, one of our sources insisted Gasa attempted to fondle and kiss Ntlauzana, and that this is what sparked the vicious attack.
The deceased was stabbed 12 times in the chest.
“The two knew each other for about two years. They first met at a popular fast food outlet in uMhlanga. Gasa would often fetch Ntlauzana from his home in Thembeni, Groutville, before taking him to his uMhlanga mansion.”
“The accused saw his relationship with the wealthy businessman as an opportunity for financial gain,” said one source.
But Gasa’s family spokesman, Louis Seeco, rubbished reports that Gasa and Ntlauzana were in a romantic relationship.
“The family does not know the accused or of a romantic relationship between Ntlauzana and Mr Gasa. The rumours have been abounding for many years, and I don’t see why his sexuality is being questioned now,” said Seeco.
He condemned the media and the public for questioning the respected businessman’s sexuality.
Seeco said that, according to Zulu custom, children do not question their parents.
“You can hardly question your friends about their sexuality. How could the family ask Mr Gasa if he was gay? According to our beliefs, children do not question adults or their decisions.
If anyone wanted to ask Mr Gasa if he was gay, they lost that opportunity because only he knew the answer to his sexuality.”
Gasa held several directorships.
He fathered four children, among them former beauty queen Mbali Ngqula and television personality Noni Gasa. - Sunday Independent