Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

The trial of three people accused of killing Avhatakali Netshisaulu, son of City Press editor-in-chief Mathatha Tsedu, is due to start in the Johannesburg high court today.

Netshisaulu, 31, was murdered on December 7 2006.

His charred body was found in the boot of his burnt-out car in Muldersdrift on the West Rand a few hours after he called his wife, Mulalo Sivhidzo, to tell her he was being followed by two cars.

He was driving from his home in Northriding to Honeydew, where he was to have met a client.

Sivhidzo was subsequently arrested with Ntambudzeni Mutsenene, 29, Sello Arnold, 28, Rodney Makhura, 32, Setshaba Fikane, 36, and Mashudu Mutobvu, 36, in connection with his murder.

Makhura, Fikane and Mutobvu had charges against them dropped last year as they could not be linked to the murder.

But they were told they could be called again if the need arose during the trial.

Mutsenene and Arnold abandoned their bail applications and have been in custody since.

Sivhidzo is out on R15000 bail.

The three are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping.