WITNESSES DISAPPEAR

09 October 2008 - 02:00
By unknown
OUTSIDE COURT: Patrick Maduvha and Mzwakhe Mbuli. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 08/10/2008. © Sowetan
OUTSIDE COURT: Patrick Maduvha and Mzwakhe Mbuli. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 08/10/2008. © Sowetan

Penwell Dlamini

Penwell Dlamini

Two of the five people who laid charges of intimidation against "people's poet" Mzwakhe Mbuli face arrest.

Warrants of arrest were issued against the two yesterday after they failed to appear in the Germiston magistrate's court where the case was to be heard. The case was postponed to January 29 next year.

Mbuli, 49, is accused of pointing a firearm, assault, kidnapping and intimidating five people on June 10.

He allegedly pointed a gun and put the five people in the boot of his car while demanding to know who had killed his uncle, Mandla Mbuli, the day before.

Witnesses Elizabeth Sisine and Philemon Masike arrived late and the case was adjourned.

Sisine, Masike, Bongani Mbhele, Richard Diamond and Eagielet Boloka are state witnesses and complainants against Mbuli.

During the break Sisine and Masike were seen in court, but when the case was ready to proceed they were nowhere to be found. Sisine was seen running into one of the firms near the court.

Mbuli's lawyer, Jerry Koma, opposed the postponement but the court ruled that the trial could not resume without the witnesses.