The High
Court of South Africa: Eastern Vape Division, Mthatha sitting in Mbizana has sentenced
Mzoxolo Mpanda (27) and Mluleki Madikizela (35) to life imprisonment for the murder
of an elderly woman (79).
According to
the National Prosecuting
Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, the deceased, Ntombizodwa Kekela was
killed after being accused of witchcraft.
Tyali said Mhlanyukelwa
Msongelwa (60) paid Mpinda, Madikizela, and their accomplice Nathi Njilo (23)
an amount of R250 000 and a cow to have Kekela killed.
“Njilo
became the state witness in terms of Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Sometime before May 2019, Msongelwa’s daughter-in-law died due to natural
causes. Following the death, Msongelwa consulted a traditional healer, who told
him about his son’s wife’s death. Msongelwa then approached Njilo to kill Kekela on
his behalf and promised to pay him with four bottles of brandy,” Tyali explained.
“Not
satisfied with the promised payment, Njilo informed Kekela about the plans to
have her killed and the allegations of witchcraft. Consequently, Kekela
reported the matter to the traditional leader who fined Msongelwa an amount of
R1 500 for labelling Kekela as a witch.”
Tyali further added that on the night of May 12, 2019, the three men attacked the deceased while
she was sleeping at her home with her daughter and grandchildren.
“They slit her
throat with a knife. Msongelwa died after a stroke attack while in custody waiting
for trail,” Tyali said.
During the trial, Advocate Mkhuseli Ntaba led the
evidence of the traditional leader, Nobomi Madikizela, the deceased
granddaughter and Njilo.
Tyali said that a Victim Impact Statement prepared
by Court Preparation Officer Bathobile Mzindile was handed in for sentencing.
“Welcoming
the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo
commended the investigation team and prosecutor for a job well done.”
