By Montsho Matlala
Klerksdorp – Two men accused of killing Limpopo ANCYL Provincial Executive Committee member, Nkateko Mbhoma Maluleka (32), are expected to apply for bail at the Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s Court in the North West on Tuesday.
Maluleka was laid to rest on Saturday at his home village of Makuleke in the Vhembe district, Limpopo. His funeral was an emotionally charged affair, marked by political slogans and tributes from comrades.
ANCYL North West chairperson and MEC for Safety and Security, Wessels Morweng, assured mourners that Maluleka’s killers would face trial.
Private security guards Luyanda Ndzekeni (41) and Thembela Ngaleka (33), who were remanded in custody after their first court appearance, are facing charges of murder and six counts of attempted murder.
They allegedly opened fire on a vehicle carrying Maluleka and six other ANCYL members in Leeudoringstad near Klerksdorp in the early hours of the morning.
The Limpopo delegation was en route to the league’s national conference in Kimberley, Northern Cape, when their vehicle came under fire. Maluleka died on the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, while his six comrades escaped unharmed.
Following their arrest, Ndzekeni and Ngaleka told police they had mistaken the ANCYL vehicle for one used by cable thieves fleeing the area.
The pair said they were on duty for Transnet, guarding infrastructure when they spotted suspects stealing cable.
Police later arrested five suspected cable thieves after the guards provided a description of a vehicle similar to the one carrying Maluleka and his colleagues.
