WATCH | Tears and fears as Inanda ‘vigilantes’ appear in court

The families of 12 alleged Bhambayi vigilantes accused of hacking five suspected criminals to death last week were in tears and left disappointed when murder charges against them were not withdrawn in the Ntuzuma magistrate’s court. 

Aphelele Nhlanganiso, Qondokwakhe Jama, Linda Mthembu, Nkululeko Mhlalezulu, Sibonelo Ntshangase, Mmeli Makhubela, Sandiso Godagoda, Aphelele Hlongwa, Bongani Nkabinde, Sipho Manqele, Zanemvula Mlotshwa and Zolani Zide were arrested on Friday. 

This after the bodies of five men were found hacked to death near the informal settlement in Inanda, north of Durban. 

Prosecutor Nomagugu Nene said the state opposed bail. She cited the safety of witnesses and outstanding information including verification of their addresses to be completed.

The defence had earlier suffered a blow when an objection to media photographs or filming the court sitting was denied.

The 12 were remanded in custody and will be detained at Westville prison until their next court appearance.

Speaking after the brief appearance, community activist Blessing Nyuswa said: “We are pained by how things have turned out in court today [Monday]. We respect the rule of the law and we are not against it in any way. Our worry is our safety.”

She said the community learnt of another rape committed in the area at the weekend. 

“We do not trust our police, even if we give them all the information. We have been raising concerns about the dangers of living in our community as early as October last year, but we have not had any luck,” said Nyuswa.

What’s worrying is that among some of the arrested are breadwinners who should be holding families together

—  Blessing Nyuswa, community activist 

Three months ago police minister Senzo Mchunu unveiled his crime-combating to-do list as part of a provincial festive season launch in Inanda. At the time Mchunu voiced concern about the murder and rape in the area, which until recently recorded the highest rates in the country for both crimes.

On Thursday Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) officers, paramedics and police found three bodies in the area.

One of the men had sustained a partial amputation of his right hand, and a second man's skull was crushed. They later discovered the bodies of two other men in a nearby field. They had also been hacked to death.

Police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said the suspects are believed to be members of a forum in the community.

Rusa members interviewed several people at the scene who alleged the five men were known robbers who had been terrorising the community. They were also allegedly responsible for raping multiple schoolgirls.

Another community member, Mdu Msomi, said they were disappointed with the remand of the case.

“We still feel the suspects were not responsible for the murders. We just want these members to be released because there are safety concerns in our community. It’s now a question of the community vs the criminals,” said Msomi.

The community had been unsuccessful in their efforts to see criminals being apprehended, he said. They were planning to report back to community members about the status of the court hearing.

“Some of the community members were not in attendance due to a number of reasons which include work commitments,” added Msomi.

Emotions were high as family members cried when the 12 were led to the prison cells. 

“What’s worrying is that among some of the arrested are breadwinners who should be holding families together,” said Nyuswa.

The matter has been adjourned to January 29.