Four suspects who are accused of kidnapping and the killing of a cop and a police clerk in Phathane Village in KwaMbonambi outside Empangeni in KwaZulu Natal appeared in court today. The suspects include the wife of the police officer, Ntombizodwa Ntinga.



KIDNAPPING AND MURDER

It’s alleged that Ntombizodwa’s husband, Nkosinathi Ntinga, was at his home in Phathane village with his friend Mpendulo Mdluli when they were kidnapped by armed suspects. Mdluli is a clerk at kwaMbonambi Police Station where Nkosinathi was stationed. The suspects allegedly appeared out of nowhere and ordered the two colleagues to get into Mdluli’s car at gunpoint. KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said the suspects fled the scene with the two men and allegedly pushed the friend out of the moving vehicle a few kilometres from the homestead. Ntinga’s body was later found in the Mfolozi area, near the Msunduzi River, with multiple gunshot wounds. The vehicle was found abandoned in a sugar cane field. Mdluli died in hospital on Saturday from the wounds he sustained when he was pushed out of the moving car.

COURT APPEARANCE

Mhlongo said the suspects appeared before the kwaMbonambi Periodical Court facing a case of double murder, armed robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, and kidnapping. He added that two more cases were added to the suspects charge sheet. "A case of conspiracy to commit murder and murder charge after Mdluli passed away were added." Mhlongo further said that the matter has now been transferred to the Empangeni Magistrates Court. All the accused are remanded in custody for a formal bail hearing on the 16 of August.