A 28-year-old man from Mlaza, who is said to have recruited eight members of the public in this township last year, will begin his trial at the beginning of next month.
This was revealed by Judge Jacqueline Henriques when the defendant, Mr. Sanele Dlamini appeared before the Durban High Court on Wednesday.
The defendant is accused of an incident that allegedly took place at a bar in U, Mlaza on May 16, 2025.
It is said that in the incident which is suspected to be revenge for the killing of his brother, the defendant recruited eight members of the community.
The dead were confirmed to be Mr Sbanisezwe Ngcobo, Lindani Ngcobo, Mduduzi Ntobela, Nkanyiso Khumalo, Vumakwenkosi Ndlovu, Sihle Shange, Ms Thandiwe Madondo and Ms Mbalenhle Mjoko.
It is said that four people survived the incident and the suspects fled the scene. Only the defendant in court is still in custody.
In the court it was revealed that the dead were just killed, they had punished those who accused them of crimes. It is said that they attacked the defendant and his brother, whom they accused of destroying the community, and robbing it.
It is said that the defendant, his late brother Mr. Lungelo Dlamini and their friend Mr. Secunda Msomi were attacked by a “tired community” on May 16, 2025. It is said that in this incident, Lungelo was seriously injured and died due to the accidents he suffered that day.
It is said that on the same day, Sanele, who was tired, asked for help from others, to help him take revenge for his brother’s murder.
It is said that they then went to the slums at U, where members of the community were celebrating “the success of teaching these brothers and their friend a lesson”.
It is said that the defendant, along with his companions, arrived at this place, opened fire, and eight people died.
In the court it was revealed that they died due to stab wounds in different parts of the body, it is said that some were shot in the head, chest and upper body.
The defendant stated that he plans to call his own witnesses who will defend him when the trial is held.