‘BOTSOTSO’ IN COURT FOR INYANGA KIDNAPPING

MANZINI – Former Manzini Wanderers player and socialite, Phumlani Botsotso Jele appeared in court after he was arrested and charged with the alleged kidnapping of a popular traditional healer of foreign origin.

Jele (41) of Hluthi made a court appearance before Magistrate Nelisiwe Hlophe yesterday after he was charged with the kidnapping offence.
The accused appeared in court in the afternoon and was in the company of his co-accused, one Musa Sithembiso Drago Magongo (40) of New Village, who was charged with the robbery of the same traditional healer.

The charge sheet states that on May 6, 2018 near Ngwane Park, Jele intentionally carried away and further deprived one Khalfani Khalid Bofu, a male adult of his liberty by putting him in a motor vehicle, a silver grey Mazda sedan registered SSD 385 AS.
The accused is alleged to have further drove away with Bofu to Gundvwini where he was allegedly abandoned.

Magongo’s robbery charge states that on May 6, 2018, near Ngwane Park, he used force and violence to induce the submission by Khalfani Khalid Bofu thus stealing from him a hand watch, white in colour with a queen crown on its screen, valued at E7 000, the property in his lawful possession.

During the accused person’s court appearance, they were legally represented by Zonke Magagula who informed the court that his clients were fully cooperative to law enforcement officers and were not in any way a flight risk.

“The accused persons have a very strong defence on the offences they have been charged with and have no motive to avoid trial.”
“Your Worship, my clients are very known, particularly in Manzini and even if they would be tempted to avoid trial, it would be easy for the law enforcement officers to find them,” Magagula said.

He further said both the accused persons had two children who solely depended on them. Magagula also told the court that a serious discussion was conducted with the accused persons concerning their conduct and if they were to be admitted to bail, they would not even try to interfere with Crown witnesses or investigations on the matter.

Magagula also requested the court to admit each of the accused persons to E500 bail in the circumstances of the case.
A month later, Jele was eventually apprehended by the police while he was at his home, in Mvutjini, near Ezulwini yesterday morning.
The traditional healer, who is allegedly attached to one of the reputable soccer teams in the country was kidnapped for hours and severely assaulted on the weekend of early May, however, Jele has not been charged with the assault offence.

The incident is alleged to have occurred while the soccer match which was between Young Buffaloes and Manzini Wanderers at the time was ongoing.
Jele was admitted to E3 000 bail by Magistrate Hlophe while Magongo was granted E5 000, at the time of compiling this report, Jele had paid his bail amount and freed from custody while his co-accused remained in custody.

Magistrate Hlophe ordered that the accused persons attend trial and not interfere with Crown witnesses. They were also ordered not to commit a similar offence while out on bail and not to evade remand hearings.

Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Khulani Mamba confirmed that four more suspects were still wanted by the police in connection with these offences.

Jele and Magongo are expected back in court on June 13, 2018 pending the setting of their trial date.

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