ALLEGED LESBIAN KILLERS RE-ARRESTED

Four men who escaped from the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape on Wednesday, and who are on trial for the murder of lesbian Zoliswa Nkonyana, have been re-arrested.

Sabelo Yekiso, Mfundo Kulani, Thando Thanbule and Lubabalo Mabhuti Bugqwangu, four out of nine men accused of killing Nkonyana, were captured by police in a raid on a Wynberg flat on Sunday afternoon, reports the Cape Times.

Despite their re-arrest, the trial is set to face further delays as the four men’s counsel withdrew their legal representation following their escape. They are expected to appear in court today on charges related to the escape.

Nineteen year old Nkonyana was beaten, stoned and stabbed to death by a group of around 20 men in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape on 4 February 2006 – just meters from her home – allegedly for being a lesbian.

Her murder investigation and trial has lasted more than four years and endured more than 25 delays and postponements.

A police sergeant has been arrested on suspicion of having assisted nine prisoners in escaping. Two of the escapees, who are not connected to Nkonyana’s case, remain at large.