A triple murder accused visited a Khayelitsha restaurant wearing bloodstained clothes soon after three suspected thieves were beaten to death in an alleged vigilante attack, the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court has heard.

This emerged when prosecutor Ndakhele Mlungwana cross-examined Lumnko Bambalaza, one of four people charged with the murder of three men.

It is the State’s case that Bambalaza, brothers Mziwabantu and Mzimasi Mngcwengi, and Mzimasi’s wife, Buyelwa, kidnapped and killed Luxolo Mpontshane, 25, Mabhuti Matinise, 20, and Sivuyile Rola, 28, on March 14 after they allegedly stole a television set.

Bambalaza testified during his bail application on Tuesday that he and Mziwabantu were in Khayelitsha when a man told them he knew who had burgled Mziwabantu’s house.

The alleged thieves were located and taken to Mziwabantu’s house so they could show him how they entered his property. An angry mob arrived and started assaulting the alleged thieves.

Bambalaza said he was sitting in a bakkie when he noticed the commotion and felt blood on his clothes.

He asked Mziwabantu to tell the mob to stop beating the men.

Bambalaza testified he and Mziwabantu then left to get something to eat.

The bail application continues on Wednesday.

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Cape Argus