Two men appeared in the Vereeniging Regional Court for the murder of a businessman
An illegal Swaziland national, Skhumbuza Dlamini (32), appeared at the Vereeniging Regional Court together with Sizwe Nkosi (30). They are facing charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
In addition, Nkosi is facing charges of possession of unlawful firearm and possession of unlawful ammunition. Dlamini is facing an additional charge of being illegal in the country.
It is alleged that on 12 February, the deceased Andriaan 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. After investigations by the SAPS, the deceased body was found at Klipriver the following day on 13 February.
Later that day his Ford Ranger bakkie was also found burnt on a plot in De Duer, with two other unknown vehicles. The two accused were arrested after they were linked to the purchase made at the tavern.
In court, the matter was postponed to 20 February, for legal representatives, and the NPA intends to oppose bail in the matter.