Police seek reinstatement of charges against Sydenham massacre suspect

The South African police are endeavoring to reinstate murder charges against Bongani Mfanomncane Dlamini, who is suspected in the 2021 mass killings in Sydenham. The State had withdrawn the nine murder charges following interviews with witnesses, but police maintain they are working with prosecutors to have the charges reinstated.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, explained that the charges were withdrawn after additional investigations were conducted into the case. In 2021, the brutal murders of nine individuals occurred in Sydenham. Six people were shot and killed at a residence on Palmiet Road, while three more were allegedly shot and killed in two separate incidents near the scene.

Dlamini was apprehended on September 24 and presented in Durban Magistrates’ Court the following day. The case was postponed to October 2 to allow for an identification parade, legal representation, and a bail investigation. However, on September 29, the State decided to withdraw all nine murder charges against Dlamini. The decision stemmed from interviews with witnesses and discussions with the control prosecutor, as stated in the court documents.

Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal police, confirmed that they were aware of the withdrawal of the charges. He stated that the suspect had been arrested through a warrant of arrest, and the police would review the court's reasons for the withdrawal and collaborate with the prosecution to reinstate the charges.

Netshiunda also revealed that Dlamini's arrest had led to another significant development in the investigation. He mentioned that another suspect, believed to be the mastermind and shooter behind the 2021 Sydenham mass murder, is currently serving a sentence for an unrelated murder. The process for formally charging this individual is underway, and he is expected to appear in court soon.