Daily Sun (April 24 2014) - PASTOR Samuel Sithole was a fiery preacher with a big congregation from four towns. But today an inyanga stands accused of silencing his thundering sermons forever!
ACCORDING TO A RELATIVE, THE INYANGA CONFESSED TO THE MURDER AND SAID HE WAS PROMISED R48 000 FOR THE KILLING.
The inyanga will apply for bail today.
Pastor Sithole (51), of White River in Mpumalanga, went missing on Valentine's Day, Friday 14 February.
His cellphone rang unanswered and was later switched off.
A relative who wouldn't be named said the family became suspicious and contacted police.
Sithole's education department colleagues feared the worst when he failed to report for duty that day or the following Monday.
The relative said: "He never left home without telling someone where he was going and when he would return."
Five days later, Sithole's body was found in a pit toilet at Cho Cho Cho, near Masoyi.
Cops were called, but the family claims they did nothing to find a suspect. So the family began investigating.
The relative said the inyanga was rumoured to be a killer for hire, so theystormed his house. The family member who was fingered allegedly aimed to benefit from insurance policies she took out on behalf of the pastor.
And the inyanga also claimed colleagues of Sithole were involved.
The relative claimed that the investigating officer "failed to ensure a post mortem was done speedily".
When the inyanga made his first court appearance, the cop allegedly wanted him freed on bail, although as a Swazi national he was a flight risk.
"As a family, we have also been receiving threats for playing an active role in the investigation," said the relative.
When the family raised concerns with the SAPS provincial office, a new investigator was appointed.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said a suspect would appear in court on a murder charge.
"Following the family's concerns about the investigator, the provincial office saw fit to replace him as this had a negative impact on investigation," said Mohlala.
) Congregants from Lydenburg,
Nelspruit, Hazyview and Masoyi are expected at the Kabokweni Magistrates Court today to call for the suspect to be refused bail.
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