Dad accused of torturing son to death applies for bail
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW
DURBAN - The family of a man who died after being tortured by having the drippings of a burning beer case as well as a tyre trickled all over his thighs and legs - allegedly by his father and others - hope that justice will prevail when the accused applies for bail on Wednesday.
In January last year, Ntando Mchunu was allegedly kidnapped and tortured by his father, Bhekinkosi Mchunu, his aunt, Thandokuhle Mchunu, and her boyfriend, Sboniso Gumede, on suspicion that he had stolen meat.
Following their arrest the three were meant to appear in court but the matter was struck off the roll and the three were released.
Last week, the DFA’s sister publication the Daily News received information that Mchunu and Gumede were arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping. This was after DNA results from a blood specimen taken from the boot of Gumede’s car matched Ntando’s blood.
They made their first appearance on Friday following their arrest. Their matter was adjourned on Wednesday for their formal bail application.
On Tuesday, Ntando’s uncle, Steven Mlungisi Zakwe, said the family was pleased at the news of the arrests.
He said that when the matter was struck off the court roll at the time, despite there having been a witness to his nephew’s torture, they were left disheartened.
He said a witness had taken him to where Ntando was tortured. There they found a burnt beer case and a tyre that were allegedly used to torture his nephew in a bid to find the stolen meat.
“The arrest now proves to us that the law is playing its role and that the long arm of the law reaches when people thought the crime had been forgotten.
“I won’t say much as to whether we hope for them to get bail or not but we want justice to prevail and the law to run its full course this time around,” he said.
Ntando was found on the side of the road on January 2 by community members who took him home.
It’s alleged that Ntando had been alive when he crawled on to the sofa after being brought home by community members. His relatives also confirmed that he had been breathing when he was brought home.
Later that afternoon Ntando died on the sofa at home and the police were called.