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.
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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
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