Life Sentence For Killing An Elderly Woman
The High Court of South Africa: Eastern Cape Division, Mthatha, sitting in Mbizana, sentenced Mzoxolo Mpanda (27) and Mluleki Maricela (35), to life imprisonment for the murder of a 79-year-old granny. The deceased, Ntombizodwa Kekela, was killed because her neighbour believed she was practising witchcraft. Mhlanyukwa Msongelwa (60) paid Mpinda and Madikizela, as well as their accomplice Nathi Njilo (23), an amount of R250 000 and a cow to have the grandmother 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 that death, Msongelwa consulted a traditional healer, who told him Kekela was the cause of his son’s wife’s death. Msongelwa approached Njilo to kill Kekela, on his behalf and promised to pay him with four bottles of brandy. 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 an amount of R1500 for labelling Kekela as a witch.
Not to be deterred by the fine, Msongelwa, who had just received his pension payout from the mines, increased the fee to a quarter of a million rand plus a cow. On the night of 12 May 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 awaiting trial. During the trial, Adv. Mkhuseli Ntaba led the evidence of the traditional leader, Nobomi Madikizela, the deceased’s granddaughter and Njilo. A Victim Impact Statement, prepared by Court Preparation Officer Bathobile Mzindle was handed in for sentencing.
Welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo, commended the investigation team and prosecutor for their collaboration in ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence are given harsh sentences.
Issued by:
LUXOLO TYALI
REGIONAL SPOKESPERSON
DPP MTHATHA
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