Street vendor Sbongokuhle Mboqo, who stands accused of killing a homeless man with a panga on December 5, has appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, seeking bail. Mboqo, through his legal representative from Legal Aid, Ntando Cele, outlined his version of events in a bid to secure his release, claiming that he acted in self-defense when attacked by a group of homeless men in the Durban Central Business District (CBD).
Mboqo, who sells cow head meat (inyama yenhloko) on Alice Street, explained that he was walking to his usual spot while carrying a panga and a bucket when he was set upon by the homeless men. According to his statement, he waved the panga in an attempt to ward them off, accidentally striking one man, later identified as Sihle. The blow caused severe injuries, and Sihle was rushed to the hospital but ultimately succumbed to his wounds. Another victim, Sandile Ngema, was also injured in the attack, suffering head and arm wounds as he attempted to defend himself. Mboqo now faces charges of murder and attempted murder, with the State opposing his bail.
The incident reportedly occurred as Mboqo was on his way to begin preparations for selling cow head meat. He told the court that the panga was a necessary tool for his work, defending his possession of it as part of his daily routine. Mboqo’s background, as presented in court, paints a picture of a man living in a shack in Cator Manor, an informal settlement. He emphasized his familial responsibilities, noting that he has two young children—aged two years and six months—and expressed no intention of interfering with State witnesses in the case.
However, the prosecution, represented by State prosecutor Calvin Govender, strongly opposed Mboqo’s bail application. Govender argued that Mboqo was charged with a schedule five offense, a serious category of crime, and that his release could pose a risk to the safety of the community. He presented an affidavit from an investigating officer, who claimed that Mboqo had threatened to kill the victims in a separate incident involving his sister. According to the affidavit, Mboqo’s sister had been robbed by the homeless men, which allegedly prompted Mboqo to retaliate with violence.
Govender further explained the details of the attack, stating that Mboqo approached Sihle from behind while he and another victim, Ngema, were waiting to cross the street. Without warning, Mboqo struck Sihle in the head with the panga, causing him to fall to the ground. Ngema attempted to flee but was also assaulted with the weapon. As Ngema tried to shield himself, he sustained injuries to his arm, forehead, and head. A police vehicle in the area responded quickly, apprehending Mboqo as he fled the scene. Both victims were rushed to the hospital, but only Ngema survived; Sihle’s death was later confirmed.
The prosecution raised concerns about Mboqo’s credibility and the inconsistencies in his statements. One of the key points was the address provided by Mboqo. While his residence in Cator Manor had been verified, there was a discrepancy regarding another address linked to a relative, which the court needed to clarify. Efforts to reach the investigating officer for further clarification on this matter were unsuccessful, prompting the magistrate to postpone the proceedings.
In an attempt to bolster his case for bail, Mboqo’s defense team called his mother, Nyandisa Mbulawa, to testify. She vehemently denied the existence of a sister in Durban, stating that Mboqo’s sister, who is two years old, lives with her in Johannesburg. Mbulawa further confirmed that her son has two children, who reside with their respective mothers. This testimony seemed to undermine some of the prosecution’s claims, particularly regarding the alleged threat Mboqo made about his sister.
The case is set to resume on Thursday, with the court awaiting clarification on the discrepancies regarding Mboqo’s addresses. Until then, the question of whether he will be granted bail remains unresolved, with both sides continuing to present conflicting narratives. The tragic loss of life and the violent nature of the attack have left the community in shock, and the legal proceedings will undoubtedly be closely watched as the search for justice continues.