Three accused in 2022 KZN tenderpreneur murders return to court

Three men accused of orchestrating the 2022 murders of tenderpreneurs in northern KwaZulu-Natal have returned to the eSikhawini magistrates' court, where they are facing multiple charges.
 
The group was arrested in 2023.
 
They were among the suspects on the radar of the inter-ministerial task team investigating political killings in the province.
 
During a media briefing in 2023, which provided a breakdown of cases assigned to the controversial task team, their arrest was labelled one of the successes of prioritised cases.
 
Elijah Mkhwanazi, his co-accused Mandlenkosi Khuzwayo-Khanyile, and Thokozani Ngubane are back in the dock at the Esikhawini Magistrates' Court in Northern KZN.
 
They face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
 
The state alleges that Mkhwanazi championed the awarding of municipal tenders through a forum to people he knew, before later demanding a percentage.
 
The prosecution said failure to comply with his demands would be met with a hail of bullets.
 
In this instance, Thelumusa Mahlaba and Siyabonga Mthiyane were gunned down in two separate incidents almost two weeks apart.
 
Senior state prosecutor Advocate Lawrence Gcaba said the shootings were sanctioned by Mkhwanazi, targeting those who opposed him.
 
A section 204 witness, who was arrested with the group, is expected to take the stand on Thursday.