Latest news with #Mzamo
IOL News
17-07-2025
- IOL News
Alleged mastermind behind Zibuse Mlaba's murder delays bail application by firing lawyers
Attorney Sipho Mkhize with his murder accused client Duncan Patrick Mzamo Mlaba at uMlazi Magistrates Court Image: Nomonde Zondi The bail application of an alleged mastermind behind the murder of former KZN MPL Zibuse Mlaba has been delayed as he has fired his legal counsel. Duncan Mzamo Mlaba, known as Mzamo, was due to apply for bail at uMlazi Magistrates Court for the murder of Mncedisi Gwala, whom he allegedly sent to kill Zibuse in October 2021. A hitman Fortune Dlamini who pleaded guilty to killing Zibuse, implicated Mzamo as the mastermind who paid R130 000 for the hit. Mzamo and Zibuse are cousins. In his plea Dlamini alleged that Mzamo instructed him to get hitmen to kill Gwala after they discovered that the police collected DNA at the murder scene of Zibuse. Zibuse was a former ANC provincial deputy chairperson while former president Jacob Zuma was a chairperson. Zibuse is also a former chief of KwaXimba in Camperdown. Dlamini has since been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the Camperdown Regional 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Former KZN MPL and ANC veteran Zibuse Mlaba, who was allegedly killed by his cousin Mzamo Mlaba. Image: Supplied The bail application, which was set for two days, did not take place as Mzamo changed his legal representative in the last hour. The bail application, which is a Schedule 6 matter under the Criminal Procedure Act, was scheduled to start on Wednesday. However, the State and his counsel at the time, advocate Christo Van Schalkwyk SC, asked for the matter to be postponed to Thursday. Van Schalkwyk told the court that they had consulted with Mzamo and had to amend his affidavit. The State said it was waiting for responses from departments as they were verifying certain information regarding what was in Mzamo's affidavit. Moreover, when the matter was postponed on Wednesday, Van Schalkwyk said they might be compromised due to financial issues. On Thursday morning, Schalkwyk and his instructing attorney, Arvina Harricharan, had arrived early in court carrying a stack of documents, including a 64-page affidavit of Mzamo, prepared to continue with the bail application. However, before the matter could start, the Mlaba family supporting Mzamo was seen having intense discussions with Harricharan and Schalkwyk, which lasted for approximately an hour. Shortly after that, a new lawyer was seen talking to the legal team that has now been dismissed. When the matter was called in court, Schalkwyk told the court that his instructions have been terminated. 'I apologise for any inconvenience,' Schalkwyk said to the court. Harricharan confirmed what Schalkwyk said. 'I was instructed by the accused that our mandate has been terminated,' she said. Schalkwyk said the matter would now be taken by attorney Sipho Mkhize. Asked if he had anything to say about this, Mzamo said he had none. Mkhize asked the court to postpone the matter to next Wednesday for the formal bail application. He said the State would be sent the affidavit on Monday. State prosecutor advocate Sanele Ntombela said he doesn't know if Mkhize has had time to consult with his client. 'We had agreed with the previous attorneys that the bail is under schedule six. The State still maintains that,' he added.
TimesLIVE
16-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
'Mastermind' behind ANC veteran Zibuse Mlaba's murder faces murder charge over hitman's death
A relative of slain former ANC deputy chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal Zibuse Mlaba, who was arrested in connection with his death, appeared in the Umlazi magistrate's court on a separate murder charge on Wednesday. Duncan Mzamo Mlaba, 63, faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder of hitman Mncedisi Gwala in January 2022 near KwaNyamazane. Mzamo allegedly paid Gwala and two others R130,000 to kill Mlaba. Mzamo handed himself over at the Camperdown police station in April after he was implicated in a plea agreement by another hitman, Fortune Dlamini, 29, in Mlaba's death. Dlamini, who was arrested on September 29, pleaded guilty to Mlaba's murder in the Camperdown regional court and was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment. He said after Mlaba's murder, Gwala was arrested for allegedly being in unlawful possession of a firearm. Mzamo then allegedly gave an instruction to kill Gwala after they found out police had collected DNA at the murder scene.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- IOL News
Alleged KZN MPL killer's bail application at risk due to financial issues
Mzamo Mlaba who allegedly paid R130 000 to have his cousin and former KZN MPL Zibuse Mlaba killed is also charged for killing a hitman he paid for the hit. 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.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- IOL News
NPA rejects consolidation of Zibuse Mlaba's murder case with alleged killer
Zibuse Mlaba's cousin, Duncan Patrick Mlaba, is alleged to have paid R130 000 for his assassination and R10 000 for the firearms used in the murder. Image: Nomonde Zondi The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has denied the request to consolidate the murder cases of Zibuse Mlaba, a former KZN MPL, and Mncedisi Gwala, a hitman who allegedly killed Mlaba for the bail purposes of the mastermind behind the assassinations. This was heard in the Mlazi Magistrate's Court on Friday morning, where the alleged mastermind, Duncan Patrick Mzamo Mlaba, who reportedly paid R130 000 for the hit on Mlaba, made a brief appearance. The State prosecutor, Advocate Sanele Ntombela, confirmed that the defence is aware of the decision of the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Lawrence Gcaba, not to consolidate the two murder cases for Mzamo's bail application. Former KZN MPL and ANC veteran Zibuse Mlaba was allegedly killed by his cousin, Mzamo Mlaba. Image: Supplied The denial of the request is due to issues of jurisdiction, as Mlaba's matter is in the Camperdown Regional Court while Gwala's is at the Mlazi Magistrate's Court. When Mzamo made his first appearance for the murder of Gwala last month, his attorney, Arvina Harricharan, told the court that they would be making representations to the State to have both the murder cases consolidated so that Mzamo could apply for bail once. She said once they know the outcome, they will indicate if they are applying for bail. However, for Mlaba's murder case, which is now at the Camperdown Regional Court, Mzamo abandoned bail. 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 ✕ According to the plea of Fortune Dlamini, a coordinator in Mlaba's murder, he said Mzamo is the one who told him that he wanted Mlaba dead. Dlamini said he organised the hitmen for Mzamo. Mlaba, who was once the ANC provincial deputy chairperson and regent chief of KwaXimba area in Camperdown, was gunned down at Wareing Shopping Centre outside his office on October 21, 2021. 'At some stage after the killing of Mlaba, Gwala was arrested for unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm. I also learnt that the police collected DNA at the murder scene of Mlaba, and Mzamo instructed me to arrange hitmen to kill Gwala,' Dlamini said in his plea. He said on February 8, 2022, Gwala was gunned down. Dlamini identified Gwala as the shooter who ended the life of Mlaba. Dlamini has since been sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment by the Camperdown Regional Court. Attorney Abdul Karrim, who was standing in for Harricharan, told the Mlazi court that they intend to apply for bail in July as advocate Ntombela would not be available on May 20. However, the court raised concerns about the date of the bail application being far. 'The accused and the family are waiting for a specific counsel to do the bail application,' Karrim said. The matter was then set for two days for the bail application in July.
IOL News
01-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Devastated mom of four struggles after her home was auctioned for a measly R5 000
Single mom Patricia Mzamo faces eviction after her home was sold for R5 000 at auction. Image: Supplied A single mother of four is facing eviction after falling in arrears in paying her home loan, and after several legal battles spanning nearly four years, her house was sold earlier this month at auction for a measly R5 000. Patricia Mzamo is devastated, as she has no idea where she and her children will end up. She does not dispute that the bondholder over her Randburg home – SA Home Loans – followed the legal route in trying to obtain payment after she fell in arrears. But Mzamo's question is, why was the property sold at auction for R5 000, while she all along tried to negotiate a settlement with them? She said she was shocked when she recently received correspondence from SA Home Loans' lawyers that the property was sold at auction on April 2 for R5 000 and that the transfer process is currently under way. According to SA Home Loans, the current balance on the bond is R1 029 178.72, while the arrear is R582 790.37. She was informed that once the purchaser had complied with the requisite provisions, the purchaser may take possession of the property, and she therefore had to vacate the property as soon as possible. Mzamo said that to make matters worse, she is still liable for her debts. The lawyers informed her that she is liable for the full amount due and owing on the bond account, due to the shortfall (after the property was sold for R5 000) on the amount she owed. She was advised to still service the bond by paying what she can afford, to reduce the shortfall figure in the end. 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 ✕ In responding to Mzamo's situation, SA Home Loans attorney Chandika Chaithoo said proceeding to a sale in execution is not taken lightly, nor is it their preferred outcome, and it is always a last resort. 'SA Home Loans always looks for ways to work with our clients who find themselves under financial stress to find a solution that assists the client to resolve their situation while protecting the interests of SA Home Loans.' Chaithoo said they are also always willing to work with their clients to sell their property privately to obtain maximum value and payment into the bond account in instances where they are unable to settle the arrears or enter into a (feasible) payment arrangement. She pointed out that there is judicial oversight during these proceedings, which include the setting of court reserves for the sale in execution. Asked why the property was sold only for R5 000, Chaithoo responded: 'It should be taken into account that the successful bidder at a sale in execution is not only liable for the payment of their bid, but also has to settle any outstanding rates, levies, or utility bills on the property as well as the costs of the auction and the transfer of the property.' Mzamo, meanwhile, said that she fell on hard times when she lost her job due to retrenchments. She is, meanwhile, working in the property industry, but she does not have a constant income as she earns commission as and when she sells a property. According to her, she tried her utmost best to sell her home herself, but as it is in an unsafe neighbourhood, she struggled. She also tried to secure the R100 000 she said SA Home Loans was willing to accept to avoid selling the property at auction, but she could not come up with the money. But the news that her home was now sold for R5 000 is something Mzamo cannot comprehend, especially as she is still left with all her debt. Cape Argus
