One of the men who allegedly killed historian David Rattray is also under investigation for raping two young teenagers at gunpoint and armed robbery, the Natal Witness reported on Wednesday.
This emerged on Tuesday in the Dundee Magistrate’s Court during the bail application of Simphiwe Ndlovu (25).
Investigating officer Thinus du Plooy of the organised-crime unit said a warrant of arrest was issued in February last year for Ndlovu’s arrest on charges of raping two girls, aged 13 and 16.
Investigations were also under way linking Ndlovu to an armed robbery at the Rorke’s Drift Museum. Ndlovu had not yet been arrested for these cases.
Denying Ndlovu bail, magistrate Vivian Hlatshwayo said the state had established ”beyond reasonable doubt” that there was evidence he had been involved in Rattray’s murder.
She said Ndlovu was unemployed, had no fixed address and had not shown that exceptional circumstances existed, which would permit his release on bail.
Ndlovu is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, murder and attempted armed robbery in relation to Rattray’s murder. He was allegedly part of a group of six men who participated in the attack.
The man who allegedly shot Rattray at his Fugitive’s Drift Lodge on January 26 has been arrested. The court heard there was a possibility that he might plead guilty and has made a statement implicating Ndlovu.
Another accomplice, who pleaded guilty to the murder and was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment, also implicated Ndlovu.
State prosecutor Sandra Kloppers said there was an independent witness implicating him.
Ndlovu denied any involvement in Rattray’s murder. He denied knowing the two men who have named him as their accomplice, even though all lived in the same area.
He said that on the day of the murder he went hunting, ”proposed love to a girl” and, at 4pm, went to get cigarettes. Rattray was murdered after 5pm.
Ndlovu also claimed he was assaulted during his arrest.
The state called two community members, who had known Rattray, to testify.
Tour guide Emmanuel Mkhize and Wilfred Mbatha both told of how Rattray contributed to the community financially.
Mkhize said Rattray assisted him in his studies and helped community projects, churches and schools.
”He was everything to me,” he said. He added that the local community had benefited from Rattray’s deeds and, following his death, community projects ground to a halt.
Mkhize added that fewer tourists were coming to the area.
In his evidence, Du Plooy said that the remaining three suspects would be arrested within the next few weeks. — Sapa