Details emerge in court regarding the assassination of ANC veteran Zibuse Mlaba over land disputes

The former regent Chief of KwaXimba, Zibuse Mlaba, was assassinated after speaking out against the illicit sale of land in the Lion Park area near Camperdown.

He spoke out after discovering that his cousin, Mzamo Duncan Mlaba, was involved in the illegal land sales.

This was revealed by the investigating officer during the opposition to Mzamo’s bail application at the Umlazi Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Zibuse also served as a member of the legislature and ANC deputy chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Mzamo, who is alleged to have ordered the hit on Zibuse and paid R130,000 for it, is currently applying for bail in two separate murder cases.

At the Umlazi court, he is seeking bail for the murder of Mncedisi Gwala, whom he allegedly hired to kill Zibuse on October 21, 2021. Gwala was subsequently killed in February 2022.

Mzamo is also applying for bail at the Camperdown Magistrate's Court for the murder of his cousin. He appeared at the Umlazi court on Wednesday morning for his bail hearing.

State prosecutor advocate Sanele Ntombela read the affidavit compiled by Sergeant Ntokozo Zulu, the investigating officer from the SAPS Political Killings Task Team.

Zulu said Zibuse was a staunch defender of his community's land rights.

“He discovered that the applicant (Mzamo) was colluding with others and selling land that belonged to the AmaXimba people. He voiced his dissatisfaction with the situation, and he took steps to block what he saw as illegal land sale by the applicant and others,” Zulu explained in his affidavit. 

The court was urged to deny Mzamo bail due to the high risk of him eliminating those who implicated him.

Mzamo reportedly had Gwala killed after discovering Gwala was telling fellow inmates that Mzamo was involved in Zibuse's killing.

Furthermore, Mzamo learned that Gwala had been identified in video footage related to Zibuse's death.

Gwala was arrested with his nephew, Nhlanhla Hlongwa, in December 2021 for illegal possession of a firearm. While incarcerated, he spoke about the part he played in the murder of Zibuse. 

Mzamo's alleged criminal actions were detailed by Zulu, who opposed his release, arguing that Mzamo posed a danger to the community, including his own family.

According to Zulu, Mzamo initially gave R1,500 to Fortune Dlamini to cover Gwala's bail. However, upon Gwala's release, Mzamo instructed Dlamini to arrange for Gwala's murder, allegedly paying R30,000 for the hit.

Zulu also informed the court of Mzamo's past criminal history, noting a previous 20-year prison sentence for the murder of his cousin, Sibusiso Brian Mlaba. Furthermore, Mzamo had been granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for the killing of Nkosenhle Mkhize.

“The applicant was previously convicted of cases that involve violence. His history proves that he is a person capable of committing further serious violent offences. Even his own family members are not spared,” Zulu said. 

Additionally, he alleged that community members were scared to come to court to follow proceedings as they feared that Mzamo’s associates would identify and target them. 

Zulu cautioned the court against granting bail, arguing that Mzamo's release would cause the Mlaba family and the broader community to lose faith in the justice system's effectiveness.

He further submitted that Mzamo's personal safety would be jeopardised, as his release could incite anger or unrest within the family and community.

“I respectfully submit that granting bail to an applicant who is known for killing his own family members will lead to disturbance of public order and public peace,” Zulu urged the court. 

“The community will be tempted to take the law into its own hands because of the lack of trust in our criminal justice system.”

Meanwhile, Dlamini and Hlongwa pleaded guilty to killing Zibuse and were sentenced by the Camperdown Regional Court. 

The Umlazi bail proceedings are scheduled to resume at the end of November.

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