Bulelani Qolani, made a brief appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 25 May on a charge of kidnapping after he allegedly kept Masamkele Mbili against his will and threatened to stab him.
Qolani, made headlines in 2020 when law enforcement officers dragged him out of his shack in Emsindweni near Makhaza, Khayelitsha, while naked.
The officers were demolishing shacks in the area when they arrived at Qolani’s shack while he was busy taking a bath.
The incident shared in a video, was widespread and lead to police Minister Bheki Cele visiting the area.
When he appeared on Wednesday, the state did not oppose his release.
According to Capt Siyabulela Vukubi, Harare spokesperson, the alleged incident took place on Monday 23 May at approximately 11:15 at Emsindweni. “It was alleged that the suspect held the victim against his own will at knife point and threatened to stab him. The incident was reported to the police and the suspect aged 29 was arrested on the same day of the incident,” he said. He was granted R800 bail and advised to return to the court on Thursday 23 June.
As part of his bail condition, Qolani, was told not to make contact with the victim or his family.
As the result of the previous incident, four City of Cape Town law enforcement officers were referred for disciplinary proceedings after being caught on camera removing Qolani, while naked, from an informal structure during the an anti-land invasion operation in Khayelitsha.