Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
08 January 2024
The community members of Leslie assisted in the arrest of an alleged murderer of Ms Betty Malinga, who was murdered during the festive season in Leslie.
Community members from Leslie came out in numbers to picket against the release of the alleged suspect Lucky Nkosi at the Leslie Periodical Court on Monday, 08 January 2024.
Ms Betty Malinga went missing on Sunday 24 December 2023 and her clothes were discovered hanged on a fence in front of her house.
A lifeless body was discovered near a bridge on Wednesday, 27 December 2023, and she was declared deceased by emergency personnel at the scene where she was found.
According to information, the community members took it upon themselves to the alleged suspect’s place of residence, where they forcefully entered regardless of the warning from the police that they did not have a search warrant.
The discovery of bloodstains is alleged to have been made in the suspect’s bedroom, and trails of blood were found where the suspect had dragged the victim.
Police immediately instituted an investigation which led to the arrest of Lucky Nkosi from his hiding place at Extension 12 in Leslie on Wednesday, 03 January 2024.
The suspect appeared before the Leslie Periodical Court on charges of kidnapping,murder and an additional charge of rape.
It is further alleged that the suspect was released on parole last year.
The case was postponed for a formal bail application on Monday, 15 January 2024.
Nkosi was remanded in custody.
Members of the community urge other residents to join forces in supporting the Malinga family in court next Monday
