Trio accused of killing Khethamabala Sithole to plead not guilty
Sithole was shot and killed on 31 May at the Buyafuthi hostel in Katlehong.
IFP supporters outside the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Ekurhuleni on Thursday, 7 August 2025, where the suspected killers of the party's former parliamentary chief whip, Khethamabala Sithole, were appearing. Picture: Thabiso Goba/ EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - The three men accused of killing former Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) member of Parliament, Khethamabala Sithole, say they all intend to plead not guilty.
The Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court is currently hearing the trio's bail applications.
Sithole was shot and killed on 31 May at the Buyafuthi hostel in Katlehong.
Two other IFP members were also shot at but survived.
Khethokuthula Sithole, Ntando Ximba and Mkhululi Sithole, each face a count of murder, two of attempted murder, and one each of possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
READ: 3 men accused of killing Khetha Sithole back in court for bail applications
The three men say the State’s case is weak, as none of them was in close proximity to the victims on the day of the incident.
In their affidavits, all three say that when they were arrested, police searched their properties and did not find the murder weapon.
Accused number one, Khethokuthula, said police found his licensed gun and three magazines at his house.
Khethokuthula submitted a copy of the documents for the gun and magazines to the court.