Thandazani Ngcongo, a 31-year-old man, has been arrested by the police in Mbazwana, KwaMhlabuyalingana, in connection with the murder of a businessman, Sibonelo Thembalethu "Vacca" Ngema, who was shot dead at his home in Buffelsdraai, Verulam, on September 25. Ngcongo, who is a neighbor of the victim, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and robbery.
According to reports, Ngcongo was arrested after a thorough investigation by the police, which led them to Mbazwana. During his arrest, a firearm and ammunition were found in his possession, which are believed to be the same ones used in the murder of the businessman. The police also revealed that Ngcongo had previously been known to the victim's family as a friend of the victim's girlfriend.
The victim, Sibonelo "Vacca" Ngema, a 29-year-old businessman, was shot dead at his home in Buffelsdraai, Verulam, on September 25. His family reported that Ngcongo was a friend of his girlfriend, who had been threatened by robbers before the murder. The family also expressed concerns about the girlfriend's whereabouts and her involvement in the case, as her story seemed to contradict the evidence found by the police.
The case was brought before the Verulam Magistrate's Court on Thursday, where Ngcongo was denied bail by the state. The magistrate, K Jairam, postponed the case to November 30 to allow the state to further investigate and for Ngcongo to appear in the Mbazwana Magistrate's Court on November 26.
The family of the victim expressed relief that Ngcongo had been arrested and was facing charges, but they also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the murder. They demanded answers about the number of people involved in the crime and the role of the victim's girlfriend, who had been with Ngcongo on the day of the murder.
According to the family, the victim's girlfriend had told them and the police that she had been robbed of R10 000 at an ATM and was then taken to the victim's home, where the robbers demanded that she reveal the location of a safe. The family, however, questioned her story, citing inconsistencies with the evidence found by the police and footage from the victim's home security cameras.
The community in Verulam has expressed support for the victim's family and called for justice to be served. They described the victim as a well-liked person with a bright future, and demanded that Ngcongo face the full weight of the law. The case is ongoing, with further investigations and court appearances expected.
Key points
- Thandazani Ngcongo, a 31-year-old man, has been arrested for the alleged murder of a businessman, Sibonelo Thembalethu "Vacca" Ngema, in Verulam, South Africa.
