MANZINI – More pieces of evidence have been collected in the case of alleged rapist pastor Nkosingiphile Allen Zwane as police continue their investigations.
Zwane yesterday appeared before Manzini Principal Magistrate David Khumalo. He faces allegations of killing four women inside his church at Mfabantfu before dumping their bodies in a shallow grave near the premises.
As previously reported by this publication, the 40-year-old was a pastor at the Apostolic Faith Church International at Mfabantfu. He faces six charges in total: four counts of murder and two counts under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act.
Investigators uncovered a shallow grave containing the bodies of four missing women – Bongiwe Phetsile Mkhonta, Samkelisiwe Shabangu, Noncedo Mohale and Nolwazi Nonhlanhla Langa – all of whom allegedly bore identical strangulation marks.
In a recorded confession, Zwane allegedly detailed how he lured the women to the church under the pretext of lunch outings or job opportunities before sexually assaulting and strangling them.
The additional SODV charges relate to a separate incident on May 4, 2026, in which he allegedly assaulted, strangled and threatened his girlfriend with sexual violence.
During yesterday's proceedings, the Crown applied for the continued detention of two items of evidence, a green sail and a blue pillowcase, to assist police investigations.
Information gathered by this publication indicates that the green sail was allegedly used to cover the bodies of the deceased.
Some of Zwane's clothing and his mobile phone had already been detained as exhibits.
When asked by the court whether he objected to the application, Zwane said he had no objection.
Magistrate Khumalo granted the application and ordered that the green sail and blue pillowcase remain in police custody. Zwane was remanded in custody until July 15, 2026.
Outside court, emotions ran high as members of the public reacted to Zwane's appearance.
One woman shouted, "Ngabe uyawubonani wena babe wena," as Zwane left the courtroom and briefly interacted with relatives who had attended to support him.
Some of his relatives were seen crying while others offered words of encouragement under police guard. Officers placed Zwane in leg irons immediately after the proceedings.
Several members of the public called for Zwane to be handed over to them, expressing anger over the allegations against him. Some took photographs while others shouted insults.
A woman who spoke on condition of anonymity said she had travelled from Siphofaneni solely to follow the court proceedings.
She said she was not related to any of the alleged victims but wanted to hear the matter for herself.
She said she believed Zwane should be released to the public so that women could deal with him themselves.
The woman added that although none of her relatives were among the alleged victims, she believed an injury to one woman was an injury to all women.
"I was here at the court to follow Zwane's case. I want to see it through, and I will follow it until the end," she said.
Alleged rapist pastor Nkosingiphile Zwane (C) being escorted by police officers after his court appearance. (Pics: Mnelisi Dlamini)