Murder over alleged affair: KwaNdengezi residents flood court in Cele murder case
The murder suspect Sibongiseni Johannes Mbhele making a first appearance at the Pinetown Magistrates' Court for the murder of his neighbour Kholwani Cele who was reported missing in October last year.
Image: ZIMBILI VILAKAZI
The community of Koffie Farm near KwaNdengezi, west of Durban, filled the Pinetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday as a suspect from the area appeared in connection with the murder of a local man.
The courtroom was so full that some residents were unable to gain entry when Sibongiseni Johannes Mbhele appeared on a charge of murdering his neighbour, Kholwani Cele (34). Cele was killed on October 23 last year, allegedly after Mbhele accused him of having an extramarital affair with his wife.
Cele was reported missing after he failed to return home from work in Northdene, Queensburgh.
Last Friday, Mbhele handed himself over to Mariannhill police and allegedly confessed to the crime, claiming he was assisted by two other men from the area. It is alleged that the group killed Cele, tied a rock to his body and dumped it in the uMngeni River near Springfield.
State prosecutor Sifiso Mtshali told the court that the State would oppose bail. He said the prosecution was still awaiting a sworn statement from investigating officer Detective Sibongiseni Mbonambi.
“We still do not have a verifiable address where the accused would stay should he be granted bail,” Mtshali said.
Mbhele’s legal representative responded that an address had already been provided to the detective and would also be submitted to the prosecutor.
The deceased, Kholwani Cele of Koffie Farm, near KwaNdengezi, who went missing in October last year coming from work in Northdene. Last week, a neighbour allegedly handed himself over to the police to confess to the crime.
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Magistrate Wendolyn Robinson postponed the matter to next Tuesday.
The deceased’s brother, Siboniso Cele, who was present in court, said the family opposed bail, arguing that the accused was not fit to live within the community.
“He has no place in society after what he did. We trusted him. He had a good relationship with our family, including Kholwani. What he did shows cruelty, and he does not deserve to return to the community,” said Cele.
He added that the community was angry, which is why residents had come out in large numbers to support the family.
“People are angry. He was a trusted member of the community, yet he committed such a heinous act,” he said.
Cele’s disappearance last year sparked a widespread social media campaign after reports emerged that he had hitched a lift from work and was dropped off at an Engen Mariann Star Convenience Centre, popularly known as Bimbos, on Old Richmond Road in Mariannhill near the M1 highway. At the time, many suspected he may have been a victim of a robbery.