Two men in court for kidnapping, murder of businessman

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An illegal Eswatini national together with an accomplice appeared at the Vereeniging regional court on Thursday.

Skhumbuza Dlamini, 32, and Sizwe Nkosi, 30, are facing charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, Nkosi is facing charges of possession of unlawful firearm and possession of unlawful ammunition whilst Dlamini is facing an additional charge of being illegal in the country.

“On February 12, 2024, the deceased Adriaan Theunis van Lingen, 64, travelled from his home in Moreleta Park, Pretoria, to Olifantsfontein for a meeting when he was kidnapped, after which an amount of R500 000 was transferred from his account to an unknown account.

“Later that day an additional R200 000 and R250 000 were again transferred to a car dealership.

“In the evening of that same day, the deceased bank card made a purchase of R2000 at a tavern in Thembisa. When he did not return home that day, his family reported him missing to the police,” she said.

Mahanjana stated that after investigations by the police, the deceased body was found at Kliprivier the following day on February 13, 2023.

She added; “Later that day his Ford Ranger bakkie was also found burnt on a plot in De Deur, with two other unknown vehicles. The two accused were arrested after they were linked to the purchase made at the tavern.”

The matter was postponed to Tuesday, February 20, 2024 for legal representatives.

Mahanjana said the NPA intends to oppose bail in the matter.

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Meanwhile, the police in Mbuzini are investigating an inquest case after a human skull was found next to the graveyard and railway line on Tuesday.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, whilst members were performing their duties, they received information from the community about a human skull found at Hhoyi Trust next to Mbuzini.

“Police responded and upon arrival, they found the skull on the ground. Other relevant stakeholders were summoned to the scene. A case of inquest has been opened.

“Currently, police are working hard to get the identity of the person whose skull belongs to, hence any member of the public with information that may assist in achieving this goal may go to the nearest police station,” he concluded.