MANZINI – A 24-year-old driver from Mananga is facing six charges following a high-speed crash that claimed the life of his passenger and led to the seizure of 20 plastic bags of dagga along the Mafutseni/Mliba Public Road.
The accused, Ncamiso Fugu Masilela, appeared before Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi at the Manzini Magistrates Courts yesterday following the accident, which occurred on October 16, 2026, near the Mbuluzi Chicken Farm main gate along the MR5 Public Road.
According to the charge sheet, Masilela faces six charges, namely culpable homicide, possession of dagga without a valid permit or licence, failing to comply with a police instruction to stop, failing to comply with a stop sign, driving an unroadworthy motor vehicle and reckless driving.
The culpable homicide charge relates to the death of his passenger, 41-year-old Elina Jossias Checua, a Mozambican national, who died while receiving treatment at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital on October 19, 2026.
The court papers allege that Masilela was driving a Toyota Hilux GD-6 when it collided head-on with a Renault Sandero driven by Dennis Sikhumbuzo Hadzebe.
According to the police account, traffic officers conducting a routine roadside check near Mafutseni Filling Station noticed the bakkie travelling at high speed from the Luve direction. The vehicle entered the filling station, made a U-turn and sped off towards Mliba.
The officers reportedly noticed a suspicious load protruding beneath the vehicle’s canvas covering and attempted to stop the driver. However, he allegedly failed to comply, prompting a police pursuit.
During the chase, the bakkie reportedly made another U-turn and headed towards Mafutseni at high speed. Near the Mbuluzi Chicken Farm main gate, it allegedly overtook the police vehicle and collided head-on with the oncoming Renault Sandero.
The Renault subsequently collided with the police vehicle, while the Toyota Hilux overturned several times, scattering its load onto the road.
The charge sheet states that 20 plastic bags containing dagga, weighing approximately 150 kilogrammes, were recovered from the vehicle. Masilela is accused of possessing the substance without the required permit or licence, in contravention of the Pharmacy Act.
The reckless driving charge alleges that he drove in a zigzag manner and overtook on a solid line. He is also accused of driving the vehicle while its two rear tyres were worn out.
The occupants of the Renault were treated and discharged from hospital, although Hadzebe sustained a fracture to his right leg. Masilela and his passenger were taken to RFM Hospital following the crash. The passenger later died, while the accused remained admitted in hospital, according to the police account.
Court proceedings indicate that the 20 plastic bags containing herbal material were to be retained as exhibits for use during the trial, with the court expected to view them.
According to the court papers, Masilela is a self-employed small-scale farmer who grows green peppers. He reportedly resides at his parental home in Mananga and has two minor children who attend pre-school.
Masilela will be back on November 11, 2026, for his trial and was remanded back in custody.
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