Court hears Mandla Msibi in danger ‘from ANC factionalism’

Msibi and his two co-accused were back in court on Thursday to apply for bail. 

Msibi, Anele Sonke Mnisi (26), and Njabulo Mkhonto ( 28) are facing two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Two other accused, Charlie Ngwenya (35) and Tsepo Matsane (30) were granted R20 000 bail each in September. 

They charged for the murder of Dingaan Ngwenya and Sindela Lubisi who were shot and killed at the Cayotes Shisanyama in Nelspruit in August.

 Another person survived but was wounded during the shooting. 

On Wednesday, the bail hearing was adjourned following reports of a bomb inside the court. 

On Thursday, the investigating officer Samson Billa continued his testimony. 

He told the court, through an interpreter, that he does not believe Msibi and his co-accused should be released on bail because their lives could be in danger. 

Msibi said the ANC in Mpumalanga has two factions, and he fears that the faction that Ngwenya and Lubisi belonged to will retaliate and harm the accused.

He further stated that the decision by the ANC to suspend Msibi from the party means the party can no longer provide him with security which puts him in grave danger.

Billa said while the police can offer protection to the accused, it would be impossible to provide it 24/7. 

He explained that the families of the deceased are angry about what happened and said he feared they might inflict harm on the accused if they are released. 

Billa also described the shooting incident in detail, stating how brutal the alleged murders were.

He indicated that Ngwenya was shot multiple times even after he had died.

Evidence uncovered from the scene, footage, and eyewitness accounts, indicated that the shooters shot at the car the deceased were in multiple times and even threw rocks at it after they had executed the murders.

He said the survivor was shot at multiple times but managed to escape. 

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