KEY POINTS
- Dunkin Patrick Mzamo Mlaba, a relative of slain ANC deputy chairperson Zibuse Mlaba, appeared in court for his involvement in the murder plot.
- Mzamo allegedly offered R130,000 to a group of hitmen to assassinate his cousin, with tensions over land deals suspected to be the motive.
- His arrest followed a plea agreement from accused Fortune Dlamini, who testified that Mzamo orchestrated the murder and destroyed evidence to cover it up.
Dunkin Patrick Mzamo Mlaba, a relative of slain ANC deputy chairperson in KwaZulu-natal, appeared in court on Friday in connection with his cousin’s tragic death, which has gripped the local community since October 2021.u
Mzamo, 63, handed himself over to authorities on Thursday after being implicated in the murder of his cousin, Zibuse, a well-respected ANC executive and the chief of KwaXimba.
Zibuse Mlaba, 65, was tragically shot dead near the Wareings Shopping Centre, located close to his office in Cato Ridge, in October 2021.
Sowetanlive reports that this murder is suspected to be politically and financially motivated, with tensions surrounding land deals potentially playing a role.
Mzamo’s arrest comes after an explosive plea agreement by one of the accused, Fortune Dlamini, 29. Dlamini, who was arrested in September 2021, pled guilty to the crime and provided testimony that implicates Mzamo in orchestrating the murder.
Dlamini claimed that Mzamo offered a significant payment of R130,000 to a group of hitmen in exchange for the assassination of his cousin.
According to Dlamini’s account, the hit was planned after Mzamo requested a meeting to discuss the murder, and he then directed the hitmen to a photograph of Zibuse, which was obtained online.
“Mzamo asked us to kill his cousin. He offered R130,000 for the job,” Dlamini testified in court. He described how Mzamo had also destroyed evidence, including the firearms used to commit the murder, in a bid to thwart justice.
Mzamo faces multiple charges
Mzamo faces multiple serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and defeating the administration of justice. He is accused of working with others to plan the assassination and cover up the crime.
Prosecutor Sanele Ntombela stated that despite the arrest, the investigation is ongoing, particularly with regard to the circumstances surrounding the destruction of evidence. “We need to verify where Mzamo lives. It’s not in any way a delaying tactic,” Ntombela commented during the court proceedings, as Mzamo’s defense team raised concerns about delays in verifying personal information.
Mzamo’s defense lawyer, Arvina Harricharan, responded to the delay by urging the court to expedite the case. “Personal information could have been verified earlier. The state must finalize the matter so bail application proceeds on the day,” Harricharan said. He also warned against using procedural delays as a tactic to stretch the case further.
The courtroom was filled with emotion as family members, some of whom were reportedly devastated by the murder of Zibuse Mlaba, wept.
Despite the emotional turmoil, a strong police presence ensured the proceedings went ahead without disruption. The case has left the local community in shock, with many grappling with the implications of such a high-profile murder within their midst.
