By Delisa Thwala
A popular queer Manzini socialite has been arrested for the murder of a taxi man based in Manzini.
The accused has already made his maiden appearance at the Manzini Magistrate Court where taximen based in Manzini crammed the Manzini Magistrates Court as they want justice for their colleague, Sandile Dlamini.
The deceased was stabbed to death last Wednesday night.
The taxi drivers attended the first court appearance of Okwethu Siphesihle Dlamini (22) of Buhleni, under Chief Nkosini, in the Hhohho Region, who stands accused of murdering the taximan.
Okwethu who is popular on social media and the streets of Manzini appeared before Magistrate Justice Mzizi, where he was charged with murder in that on Wednesday night,
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while he was at Fairview South, in the Manzini Region; he allegedly killed the taximan by stabbing him multiple times in the head, arms and legs, among other parts of the body.
The murder accused was remanded in custody until December 11, 2024, pending his committal to the High Court.
The taximan allegedly received a call after a client had been referred to him.
Sandile, who operated near Bhunu Mall, opposite Standard Bank, is said to have been called by the customer, who is now facing a murder charge.
It is said the accused person sought the taximan’s services, to chauffer him from Fairview South to New Village.
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It is alleged that during the telephonic conversation between the taximan and the supposed customer, the former requested that the suspect walk to the main road, as the terrain where he wanted to be picked up is in bad state for him to drive through.
When they met, it is alleged that the suspect asked him to go to New Village before going to Magevini, in Matsapha, where he wanted to pick up his acquaintance, whom they went back to Fairview South with later on.
It is alleged that when they reached Fairview South, the pair supposedly stabbed the taximan about 18 times all over the body and took his daily earnings.
