Alleged KZN MPL killer's bail application at risk due to financial issues
Image: Nomonde Zondi
Financial woes might compromise the bail application of Duncan Mzamo Mlaba, who allegedly orchestrated the murder of former KZN deputy chairperson of the ANC, Zibuse Mlaba, in a murder case involving a hitman he hired to kill Zibuse.
Mzamo is charged with the murder of his alleged hitman, Mncedisi Gwala. According to the plea of Fortune Dlamini, one of the hitmen sent by Mzamo to kill his cousin Zibuse, he paid R130,000 for the hit. Dlamini said that after they had killed Zibuse on October 21, 2021, Mzamo instructed him to arrange hitmen to kill Gwala.
He said that at some stage after the killing of Zibuse, Gwala was arrested for allegedly being in unlawful possession of a firearm. Moreover, Dlamini said they also learned that the police collected DNA at the murder scene of Zibuse, and that's when Mzamo instructed that Gwala be killed.
Mzamo is currently applying for bail in Gwala's murder case at Mlazi Magistrates Court.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
Fortune Dlamini was earlier this year sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for the murder of KZN former ANC deputy chairperson and MPL Zibuse Mlaba
Image: Nomonde Zondi
On the murder of his cousin Zibuse, who was a chief regent at Camperdown in KwaXimba, he is charged with Mthobisi Dubazana and Nhlanhla Hlongwa, the hitmen he allegedly sent. In this matter, he abandoned his bail at the Camperdown Magistrates Court, and the case was transferred to Camperdown Regional Court. Zibuse is also a former MPL in KZN.
On Wednesday morning, Mzamo's formal bail application, which is a schedule six of the Criminal Procedure Act, could not continue as expected in uMlazi.
The State prosecutor advocate Sanele Ntombela told the court that they received Mzamo's affidavit from his legal counsel on Monday by email. However, they were unable to open it until Tuesday.
'The investigating officer spent time going through the affidavit and needed to verify certain information from the departments,' he said.
Slain former KZN MPL Zibuse Mlaba
Image: Supplied
Additionally, Ntombela said the State needed to respond to the affidavit and would do so on Wednesday or at the latest by Thursday morning at 7am.
Mzamo's counsel, advocate Christo van Schalkwyk SC, told the court that they had delayed calling the matter in court because the affidavit had to be signed by Mzamo, and they were consulting with him.
'There were amendments on it (affidavit), we have informed my learned colleague,' he told the court.
Van Schalkwyk said they were confident that all formalities would be wrapped up by Thursday and would formally hand in their hard copy affidavits to the court. Both the State and Defence asked for the matter to be postponed to Thursday morning for the formal bail application to start.
However, as the court was about to respond, Mzamo raised his hand and said he would like to say something. Van Schalkwyk quickly stood up to consult with him, together with his instructing attorney, Arvina Harricharan.
After that, Van Schalkwyk addressed the court and said, 'Our position might be compromised due to financial reasons, but we will roll the matter over to tomorrow morning.'
As the matter was adjourned, Mzamo could not wait to leave the courtroom and asked the police if he could go.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Pastor arrested for allegedly raping 14-year-old girl in Limpopo church
A 40-year-old pastor has been arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl inside a church in Limpopo. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident allegedly happened on July 9, when the suspect asked the 14-year-old girl to come to the church, but once she arrived, he reportedly locked her inside his office. "The victim found the pastor alone in the church office. It is alleged that the suspect locked the door and forced the victim to perform sexual acts before repeatedly raping her." Ledwaba further stated that the pastor allegedly told the victim to keep the incident a secret. Despite this, the 14-year-old bravely reported the incident to her family, which led to an immediate rape case being opened. "The victim courageously disclosed the ordeal to her family on July 19, after which the police were immediately notified. A case of rape was opened and investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and the suspect was arrested on July 20," Ledwaba added. The 40-year-old appeared on July 21 facing charges of rape. Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the victim for her courage in speaking out and reporting the serious crime. "We encourage parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children and to report any suspicious behaviour immediately." In recent months, there has been a disturbing wave of scandals that continues to rock faith communities across South Africa. A string of high-profile religious leaders have faced serious accusations of sexual abuse, prompting growing outrage and calls for justice. Two of the most prominent figures at the centre of these allegations are Bishop Bafana Stephen Zondo, head of Rivers of Living Waters Ministries, and Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, founder of Jesus Dominion International. Zondo, a once-revered spiritual leader with thousands of followers across Gauteng, is currently facing 10 charges, mostly rape and sexual assault, brought forward by seven women, many of whom were members of his church. The alleged abuse spans years and involves disturbing claims of spiritual manipulation and physical violation. In March 2025, the Sebokeng Regional Court ruled that Zondo must stand trial, dismissing his attempt to have the charges dropped under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. His subsequent bid to have Judge Papi Mosopa recused from the case, citing alleged bias, was also rejected. Meanwhile, Timothy Omotoso, whose case has gripped the country for nearly eight years, was acquitted in April 2025 on 32 counts, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering. The Gqeberha High Court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, citing poor witness cross-examination and procedural irregularities. The acquittal triggered a wave of public outrage, with gender-rights organisations and civil society groups accusing the justice system of failing survivors and protecting powerful religious leaders. Jane Makekema, a resident of Evaton in the Vaal, said she no longer feels safe attending church. 'I used to go to church to find peace, now I fear it's where the most damage is done.' She added that although she no longer goes to church, she still believes there are good faith leaders in our communities. 'Not all of them are bad; there are men and women truly called to serve, but their good work is drowned out by the horror stories we keep seeing in the news.' In response to mounting pressure, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has filed an appeal to overturn the controversial acquittal. As previously reported by IOL, the NPA has formally requested that the presiding judge provide clarification on the ruling, a necessary step before the matter can be escalated to the Supreme Court of Appeal. The Star [email protected]
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Court dismisses plea to pardon State Capture accused
On 21 July 2025, the Johannesburg High Court dismissed an application by lawyers of high-profile individuals, seeking pardon from State Capture allegations. They face 11 charges including fraud and Contravention of Regulation 4 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act. The National Prosecuting Authority said all the individuals are linked to a corruption case involving mine rehabilitation. Spokesperson of the NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, Henry Mamothame, said the accused were also in Contravention of Regulation 7 of the National Environmental Management Act. Additionally, they were charged with money laundering, forgery, uttering and perjury. The alleged state capture offenders approached the court seeking a discharge. Their application was made in terms of Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. 'The accused include the former Deputy Director-General of the then Department of Mineral Resources, Joel Raphela,' said Mamothame. Charged with Raphela are Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender and entities linked to the Gupta family, which are Optimum Coal Mine, Koornfontein Mines and Tegeta Exploration and Resources. Mamothame regards the court's dismissal of the application as a victory for justice. Additionally, IDAC has been granted leave to amend the indictment on certain charges against the accused. All the accused have pleaded not guilty to the 11 charges. In conclusion, the matter was postponed to 25 May 2026. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Six years in jail for bogus attorney
Johannes Teboho Motse, who posed as a legal practitioner and unlawfully represented unsuspecting clients in various courts between February and November 2022, has been sentenced to six years in jail. The Rustenburg specialised commercial crimes court convicted Motse, 43, of multiple charges of fraud, theft, forgery and uttering. 'He forged critical legal documents, including a right of appearance certificate, a Fidelity Fund certificate and an admission certificate, to deceive his victims,' National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said on Monday. One of the complainants paid Motse R15,000 to prosecute an appeal. After receiving no legal service, the client reported the matter to the police. Investigations revealed that Motse was not registered with the Legal Practice Council. Motse pleaded guilty to all charges. 'In aggravation of sentence, state advocate Matshidiso Ramakgaphola highlighted the prevalence of such crimes in the court's jurisdiction and emphasised that the offences were premeditated and meticulously executed.' The court sentenced Motse to six years for fraud, forgery and uttering. On the charge of theft, he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he repays the complainant R15,000 by August 31.
