Durban — The Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court has authorised a warrant of arrest to be executed against a 22-year-old man alleged to have kidnapped, murdered, mutilated the face of his victim, and burnt him, before throwing his body off a cliff.
Sphamandla Nethisa is accused of killing Thulasizwe Khayelihle “The Gentleman” Hlophe, who was kidnapped, bundled into his Kia Picanto, and taken to Umtata location in Inanda in 2022.
Nethisa was meant to appear in court on Monday but did not pitch. The court cancelled his bail and authorised the police to execute a warrant of arrest for him.
Hlophe was allegedly kidnapped from outside Under The Moon Lounge in Inanda where he had gone with his friends, musicians Madanon and Babes Wodumo.
It is alleged that Hlophe was stabbed and killed, his body taken to the Nguzi area near Mbeka Primary School where his face, neck, and body were mutilated to make his body unidentifiable or unrecognisable, and was then thrown over a cliff.
Besides his car, his cellphone and Nike takkies were also stolen.
Nethisa is charged with murder, kidnapping, and robbery with aggravated circumstances as well as defeating or obstructing the course of justice. He is currently out on R1 500 bail.
If he is found guilty of robbery with aggravated circumstances he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years if he is a first offender. However, if he has been previously convicted on a similar charge, the court could not deviate from the minimum sentence of 20 years.
If convicted of murder he could face life imprisonment.
The 22-year-old is also charged with contravening Section 90 (1) read with Section 68 (1) of The National Health Act.
“The State alleges that on June 11, 2022, at Nguzi near Mbeka Primary School, in Inanda, the accused who was not permitted by or under any law to acquire tissue of a deceased person, Steven Thulasizwe Hlophe, in a manner not provided for or for a purpose other than those permitted for in terms of the National Health Act 61 of 2003 and its regulation by removing the face, skin, nose, ears and soft tissues of the face and neck of Hlophe after killing him,” alleges the State.
Monday was the second time this year that Nethisa failed to pitch at court and a warrant of arrest was issued and stayed until his next court appearance.
Should he present at court on the next due date the warrant of arrest would be cancelled.
The matter had been set down for trial a number of times since last year, however, Nethisa changing lawyers more than once has seen a delay in the start of the trial. He has also made about-turns when it comes to his plea.
Nethisa was initially expected to plead guilty last, however, he changed his mind. Then this year he again wanted to plead guilty but again changed his mind.
The case was adjourned to later this month. If police track him down and arrest him he will remain behind bars until the finalisation of the trial.
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Daily News