By Obakeng Maje

Hartbeesfontein-Four accused appeared at Hartbeesfontein Magistrate Court for kidnapping on Tuesday.

Mangaliso Bonde (29), Zamani Bonde (26),George Bonde (32),Thembi Xandibe (23) and William Sitele(19) appeared in Hartbeesfontein  Magistrates Court on Tuesday on allegations of kidnapping and attempted murder of a 22 year-old victim, Jan Lephadi at Tigane Township.  

They will appear again on 6 February 2014 for Regional Court decision. 

“It is alleged that the accused went to Lephadi’s house and accused him of breaking into their house. They searched his house and when they could not get anything, they allegedly assaulted the victim with fists and a knobkerrie and dragged him out of his home to his grandmother’s place to give them the alleged stolen property” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

Police said when they could not find anything again, two of the five accused locked the victim in the boot of the car and drove with him to the nearest bush in the area where they allegedly  poured petrol over him and thereafter set him alight. 

“The victim managed to take off his t-shirt, rolled on the ground to extinguish the fire that had consumed him. It is alleged that the victim was badly burnt from his head and back” concludes Makau.-TDN

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