Malayitsha to appear in SA court on murder, robbery, assault charges

AN umalayitsha from Bulawayo with his South African wife and two other cross border drivers allegedly killed Zimbabwean travellers, raped dozens, kidnapped more than 100 and extorted cash from others.

The quartet was arrested in July last year and are facing 62 charges ranging from murder, rape, robbery, extortion and assault against fellow countrymen south of the Limpopo River.

They would allegedly lure hikers to Johannesburg from Musina and later attack them at secluded houses in the neighbouring country, during a two month crime spree.

They allegedly demanded at least R3 000 ransom from their victim's families and raped, severely assaulted or killed those whose relatives failed to pay. The gang, allegedly part of a larger syndicate that preys on hikers at Musina, is set to appear at the Palm Ridge High Court in Johannesburg between October 10 and November 4.

They are accused of killing Olga Gwena (25) of Chitungwiza and Esther Mwenda of Harare, among others.

Charles Cecil Brewer (36), alias Boss of Nketa 7 in Bulawayo, his South African wife, Madida Petition Sicelo (30) alias Sister, Jaheni 'Satan' Luphahla (28) of Old Lobengula in Bulawayo and Phathumuzi 'KK' Sibanda (27) of Emakhandeni in Bulawayo are accused of committing the offences between May 30 and July 11 last year.

They have been languishing in remand prison since their arrest in July last year and were denied bail at the Thembisa magistrate's court in Johannesburg before the matter was transferred to the High Court. Luphahla allegedly earned the Satan moniker in the South African underworld for reputedly being "wicked than Lucifer himself."

The case has been dragging on as the accused have been struggling to get a lawyer after dumping the state's free legal practitioners.

Officials close to investigations said yesterday: "The gang is believed to be part of a syndicate targeting mostly women travelling between Musina and Johannesburg in Gauteng Province. "They were picked up during a police sting operation in Musina on 25 July. The accused persons have been positively identified by most of the victims," said the source.

The official said Brewer and Madida were identified as the drivers of a white Opel registration numbers SNB949GP and a red Hyundai Matrix registration numbers ND462078.

The syndicate operates from Total and Engen filling stations and a house in Musina, targeting Zimbabwean hitch-hikers travelling to Gauteng province.

The State has subpoenaed more than 100 witnesses to testify against the four. Brewer, who is allegedly the mastermind of the orgy of crimes, has reportedly approached the prosecution for a plea bargain.

He allegedly wants to turn into a key State witness to expose other members of his syndicate, who became elusive following his arrest last year. It is said they used South African registered private vehicles and touts to lure victims into their cars.

After kidnapping and detaining the travellers at various houses upon reaching Johannesburg, the gang would turn violent and would strip their hostages of various valuables including money. They would then call the victims' relatives and demand money for their release. The amounts which ranged from R3 000 would be paid through money agencies that include Shoprite, PEP, Spar or Cambridge stores.

Zimbabwe's Consul General to South Africa, Mr Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro said despite the arrest of Brewer and his accomplices they continued to receive reports of Zimbabweans who are being terrorised in the same manner.

He urged Zimbabweans to always use registered public transport vehicles, especially conventional buses when travelling to the neighbouring country. "We would like to emphasise the Government of Zimbabwe's gratitude, to our hosts, for the continual assistance rendered through the South African Police Services (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies in ensuring that justice prevails," he said.