A KwaZulu-Natal traditional healer and his two sons are facing a grim set of charges after a violent altercation led to the death of a 28-year-old man. Khulekani Ngubane, aged 48, along with his sons Sihle Zungu, 21, and Mduduzi Ngubane, 24, are expected to apply for bail at the Mtubatuba Magistrate’s Court on January 21 after being charged with murder, kidnapping, and assault, following the death of Thandazani Mngomezulu.
The shocking incident unfolded on December 15, when Mngomezulu, allegedly drunk at the time, made advances towards Khulekani Ngubane’s girlfriend and spoke disrespectfully about the older Ngubane. The emotional outburst led to an aggressive response from Ngubane, who, with his two sons, went to Mngomezulu’s home in the Qwakini area of Mtubatuba. They forcibly brought him back to their house, where the situation quickly escalated into violence.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, Mngomezulu was tied to a tree and subjected to a brutal assault by Ngubane. “After a community intervention, Mngomezulu was released, but his injuries were severe. He was rushed to the hospital in Empangeni, where he spent several days fighting for his life. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries,” Netshiunda stated.
The case has shocked the community, with many questioning the lengths to which a dispute over love and words could escalate into such a violent and tragic outcome. The Ngubane family was arrested shortly after the incident, and their first appearance in court saw the case postponed until their next court date. The charges against the traditional healer and his sons have now been significantly upgraded from assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to include murder and kidnapping.
As the Ngubane family prepares to apply for bail, the court will have to weigh the severity of the crime against the possibility of their release. The case has raised serious concerns about the role of violence in resolving personal conflicts and the dangers of unchecked emotions. With more details expected to emerge during the upcoming bail application, the community is anxiously awaiting the next steps in a case that has left many reeling in disbelief.
