Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
08 May 2025
The three men accused of the brutal murder of Nontobeko Murrure — Luzuko Sibiya (22), Masimbongea (21), and Elvin Nhlapho (21)— briefly appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
The trio has been in custody since 15 March 2025, facing charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Their case was postponed to 13 May 2025 to allow the docket to be brought before court and for a possible bail application to be considered.
In a dramatic turn of events, while in court, one of the accused, Luzuko Sibiya, was allegedly positively identified by a rape survivor during the proceedings. The woman alleges that Sibiya, along with two other men, raped her as she was on her way home one night. Although the survivor could not confirm whether Sibiya’s two co-accused in the murder case were involved in the rape, she was certain about Sibiya’s identity.
The rape incident had previously been reported and was under police investigation. Following the survivor’s recognition of Sibiya in court, a formal charge of rape was added against him. He is now facing additional legal proceedings in this matter.
Sibiya will remain in custody, and the rape case has been postponed to 2 June 2025 for DNA analysis and further investigation.
The Department of Justice and local authorities have yet to comment on the possibility of linking Sibiya to other unsolved cases in the area.e 2025 for his DNA link to be checked.
