The Mpumalanga High Court sitting in Middelburg is expected to hand down the judgment in the case of murder against a sangoma, Thokozani Msibi and others accused of killing 13-year-old Gabisile Shabane and her two-year-old cousin, Nkosikhona Ngwenya.
Apparently, Shabane was killed for muti purposes while Ngwenya was mistaken for their other sibling with albinism.
The High Court is expected to hand down the judgement on Wednesday.
Shabane, who was living with albinism, and Nkosikhona Ngwenya were kidnapped from their home in Vosman at Emalahleni in 2018. Shabane’s mutilated body was found buried in a shallow grave in Pretoria.
Meanwhile, Ngwenya’s body was retrieved from a stream near Emalahleni
Thokozani Msibi, Mthobisi Mkhize, Themba Thubane and Knowledge Mhlanga were arrested and charged with kidnapping, murder, conspiracy to commit murder and violation of a corpse.
In 2019, Themba Thubane pleaded guilty and he is currently serving two life imprisonment sentences:
As the Mpumalanga High Court is expected to hand down the judgement against the other three, the family of the deceased says they would only find closure once the matter is finalised.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Chantelle Ngwenya, says, “As the family, we are trying to cope, even though it is difficult but since the court started we are relieved. We are hoping we will get justice.”
National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, is confident that the court will rule in their favour.
“We believe that we will secure a conviction in this matter following the evidence that we have learnt during the trial. The deceased parents testified and they told the court about how the victims were (abducted) from their home. Evidence of the fingerprint expert was also heard which linked accused No.: 2 to the crime scene. Another witness from Swaziland who is also a traditional healer testified and told the court that the accused came to contact with him to get muti to evade that trial. Upon questioning them they told him what they did in South Africa, which they said they kidnapped and they killed them. He gave them a wrong muti and informed the South African authorities hence the arrest.”
Speaking on behalf of Melokuhle Albinism Foundation, Tryphina Nhlapho, says the suspects deserve to be given a harsh sentence should they be found guilty.
“We know we can’t have the kids back, but are happy that finally there is going to be closure. Our expectation is that they are going to get at least 4 or 5 life sentences so that they would not be eligible for parole anytime soon. This because what they did is upsetting and they have wounded the country and the community.”
A fifth accused who was arrested after he was found in possession of some of the body parts in Eswatini, died before he could be extradited to the country.
