MLANDVO’S KILLING: WIFE IN HIDING AFTER DEATH THREATS

MALINDZA – Death threats have reportedly forced the woman alleged to be at the centre of the brutal killing of Mlandvo Dlamini to go into hiding.

Simangele Ndzabandzaba (28) of Malindza, in the Lubombo Region, has left her parental homestead to stay with a relative around the Shiselweni region in fear for her life, her family said on Saturday. Ndzabandzaba is the wife to Zakhele Ndlela, the suspect who allegedly bludgeoned Dlamini (18), a pupil at Mhlatane High School, after he allegedly found him in a compromising position with his wife. Simangele’s mother, who was only identified as Make Ndzabandzaba, said her daughter received death threats immediately after returning to her parental homestead. “Bebasonga so sabona kutsi kuncono asuke lakhaya (They were threatening her so we decided that she should leave). She now stays with a relative,” she said. She was not specific on who exactly was threatening her daughter and how the threats were issued.

Asked if Simangele could be contacted telephonically, she said her daughter was unreachable because she currently did not have a cellphone. She alleged that her daughter’s mobile phone was confiscated, allegedly by her husband, immediately after the gruesome incident. However, when one of her daughter’s two numbers was called by this reporter yesterday evening, it rang unanswered. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Khulani Mamba said Simangele was free to open a case against those threatening her. “Any death threats should be reported to the police so that we can investigate their origin,” said Mamba. Initially, the family was reluctant to talk about the matter. Make Ndzabandzaba said only Simangele was in a better position to explain what exactly happened on the night of Mlandvo’s death.

She disputed some of the versions of the events that have been reported in the media, stating that they were far from the truth. “It is only her (Simangele) and her husband who know what happened on that fateful day, and not the speculations that have been reported,” she said. Another family member wondered why journalists were following Simangele as the matter had already been reported in the media. “Bafunani bakaTimes?” she shouted as this reporter explained that it was imperative that Simangele gives her side of the story or the family expresses its feelings on the matter. The matter is now being dealt with through the courts following Ndlela’s arrest and his subsequent application for bail, which was granted by the High Court.

Mlandvo was brutally beaten to death, allegedly by Ndlela, with what has been described in court as a tap rode. Court papers say the 18-year-old pupil was battered all over the body and on the head and, as a result, suffered fatal injuries.
The suspect recently appeared at the Pigg’s Peak Magistrates Courts for a confession.  He has since been released on E50 000 bail by the High Court, which ordered that he pays  certain amount in cash and then provide surety for the balance.

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