DURBAN - FIVE people are expected to appear in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping and murder in the case of Newlands West teenager Mmeli Ngcobo.
Ngcobo, 16, was last seen on February 22 after being bundled into a gold Mercedes-Benz outside his school, New West Secondary. He was accused of stealing a classmate’s cellphone four days before his disappearance.
It is alleged that the matter was not reported to the school’s principal, but that Ngcobo’s classmate arrived at school with two other people who forced him into their car.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said the case of the five accused would return to court on November 30.
“Three of the five are facing charges of murder, the other two are facing charges of kidnapping,” said Mbele.
In early May, the police released two portraits of individuals allegedly linked to the case, but the Daily News is unable to reveal if they form part of the charged group.
However, three of the accused are apparently related and appeared in court on August 13. All five people are in custody and will appear together on separate charges.
“An internal investigation is being conducted regarding the conduct of the police officers. Unfortunately, we cannot comment further on the merits of our investigation at this stage,” said Mbele.
The Ngcobo family could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
Daily News