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FORMER MINISTER NTUTHUKO FACES NEW CHARGE

By Sandile Nkambule | 2020-09-16

IT appears the firearm that was used by former Minister of Public Works and Transport Ntuthuko Dlamini in the alleged fatal shooting at Mhlabubovu had an expired licence.

According to well-placed sources, the permit or licence for the firearm, is alleged to have expired sometime in 2017 and has not been renewed all along.

As a result, another charge will be added to the initial charge sheet after being formally charged for contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act of 1964.

These are the new developments in the recent fatal Mhlabubovu shooting and the former minister is expected back in court for his next remand hearing at the magistrate court today.

Charge Sheet

When sought for comment on the latest developments, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer (PICO) Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter.

“It is true the firearm used in the shooting had its licence expired, however, he has not yet been formally charged as the charge sheet is yet to be amended,” Superintendent Vilakati said.

When he made his first court appearance last week, Dlamini was facing only three charges.

Pistol

According to the initial charge sheet, Dlamini (49) of LaMgabhi under Chief Ndzamanye was facing two counts of murder and one for attempted murder.

On the first count, he has been charged with the offence of murder in that on or about September 7, 2020 at or near Mhlabubovu area in the Manzini Region, he unlawfully, wrong fully and with intent to kill, shot Andreas Themba Tsabedze once with a pistol in the chest. Tsabedze was confirmed dead upon arrival at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) hospital.

On the second count, Dlamini has been charged with the offence of murder in that at or near Mhlabubovu area in the Manzini Region on the same day, he unlawfully, wrongfully and with intent to kill, shot Sikhulu Shongwe four times with a pistol in the upper body. Shongwe was also confirmed dead upon reaching the RFM hospital.

Meanwhile, on the third count, the former legislator was charged for the offence of attempted murder in that on or about the same date, at or near Mhlabubovu area, he unlawfully, wrongfully and with intent, attempted to kill Simon Dlamini by shooting him three times with a pistol, twice in the stomach and once in the left hand.

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