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JOMO KHUMALOâ€™S MURDER:CHARGES INCREASE TO NINE

By Bongiwe Dlamini | 2019-12-03

IN light of new evidence, the suspects’ charges have increased from five to nine.

This is according to Maxwell Nkambule and Senzo Sithole’s revised charge sheet.

The court document stated that in addition to the murder charge of killing businessman Jomo Khumalo and attempted murder charges that they both faced, each of the suspects had other charges levelled against them as they were found in possession of illegal firearms and live rounds of ammunition.

The attempted murders of the three Khumalo members were committed on November 27, the same time that Khumalo was killed in broad daylight while near the Manzini traffic circle. The Khumalo family members are Phiwinhlanhla, Zamantungwa and Bakitsi.

The charge sheet stated that Nkambule and Sithole jointly shot at these persons several times.

On the other hand, Nkambule faced three additional charges as he was on Friday found in possession of 12 live rounds of ammunition while at Mbikwakhe area in Matsapha.

Again, on Sunday Nkambule was allegedly found in possession of a special revolver without a valid licence to possess such a firearm.

On the same day, the gun is said to have had three live rounds of ammunition.

Meanwhile, on Sunday Sithole was allegedly found in possession of a black Norinco 9mm pistol that had four live rounds of ammunition without a licence.

Sithole, who is related to Eswatini Interstate Transport Association Chairperson Bambumuti Sithole, is alleged to have led the police to the firearm which was eventually found at a forest in Big-Bend on Sunday.

The duo appeared before Magistrate Xolile Nxumalo yesterday and were remanded in custody until December 11, pending committal to the High Court.

This happened after the duo were arrested on Sunday, four days after the businessman was slained.

Last Saturday, the getaway car, a navy blue VW Polo sedan, which was supposedly used by the assassins, was seized by the police. The car was allegedly driven by Senzo Sithole when Khumalo was killed.

After committing the sordid crime, two hired hitmen were allegedly helped to skip to South Africa through Mshololo informal crossing.

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