Six in court for burning five people

Six people appeared in the Inkanyezi District Court, near Eshowe, on Tuesday in connection with a fire at a house in which five people died.

   

The case was postponed to August 12, when a formal bail application was expected to be brought.

   

Lucky Nzuza, 30, Khiswa Nzuza, 33, Samkelo Mhlongo, 25, Nkanyiso  Magwaza, 28, Tholithemba Shandu, 25, and Sibusiso Mkwanyana, 36, all told the court they needed legal aid.

   

Magistrate Pat Naicker told them the State would oppose bail.

   

A seventh person, who is a minor, has also been arrested but will appear in court separately.

   

The police said the court was waiting for a probation officer to accompany the minor, whose parents had not been located.

   

They were also expecting to make more arrests.

   

The six men and the minor face five murder charges, three of attempted murder, one of arson, and one of malicious damage to property.

   

Four houses in a homestead in the Mbongolwane area were set alight on Saturday night. 

   

Thulisile Mnyango, 50, Cebile Mnyango, 21, Lungelo Mnyango, 17, Mlamuli Mnyango, 10, and two-year-old Qiniso Mnyango, died in one of the houses. Three family members escaped.

   

Two cattle were stabbed to death.

   

-Sapa