The suspects, Blessing Nhlakanipho Ntombela (30) and Blessing Bongani Dlamini (38) appeared briefly before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on the charges of Murder and attempted murder.
The case has been postponed to 30 January, 2023 for a formal bail application. They were both remanded in custody.
They we arrested on Sunday 22 January 2023, at Mkhondo in relation to the murder of a ward Councillor Mr Sbonelo (Mthembu) Ntshangase (36), and his friends Mr Sandile Khumalo (51) and Mr Sizwe Mbingo (40).
According to the report, the victims were allegedly shot by armed suspects in Mkhondo, also known as Piet Retief.
It is further alleged that the suspects reportedly fired multiple shots at Mr Ntshangase who was in the yard, and also shot Mr Mbingo inside a bakkie who sadly died at the scene whilst Mr Khumalo was shot in the yard as well. Thereafter the suspects fled to unknown direction.
The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has vowed that more arrests are eminent pending the continuing investigation.
