8 on trial for the murders of alleged livestock thieves on Piet Retief farm
The trial of eight men accused of the brutal murders of Sifiso Thwala and Musa Nene, who were assaulted after being accused of livestock theft, is underway in the Middelburg High Court.
According to Middelburg Observer, the trial commenced yesterday with all eight accused pleading not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice. Proceedings are expected to continue today, when the state will begin leading evidence in support of its case.
The accused are alleged to have been involved in the brutal attack on three individuals, resulting in the deaths of Thwala and Nene on August 9, 2020. The third victim survived.
The accused are Zenzela Mzikayise Yende (48), Werner Potgieter (48), Moses Dlamini (59), Masodeni Elliot Msongelwa Dlamini (61), Cornelius Lourens Greyling (26), Sikhumbuzo Zikalala Nhlabathi (25), Mzwakhe Dlamini (48), and Nkosinathi Msibi (26).
According to the allegations, the victims were travelling from Daggakraal to Driefontein when they were attacked by a group of men, assaulted, and taken to a storage facility on Pampoenkraal farm, near Piet Retief, where the alleged crimes occurred.
The matter has been placed on the court roll until mid-September.
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