Times Of Swaziland: WIFE MURDER CASE: WOMEN PROTEST AS MASHUMI IN COURT

WIFE MURDER CASE: WOMEN PROTEST AS MASHUMI IN COURT
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Melisa Msweli on 28/03/2023 09:25:00


NHLANGANO – Nhlangano Town Council interim committee Chairman Mashumi Shongwe
appeared in court charged with the murder of his wife, Tigezile Magongo.
It is worth noting that at the main entrance, there were women from different
organisations against gender-based violence (GBV) who were carrying placards and
demonstrating. The women shared that they were against the murder of the former
police officer, who was shot dead last year. Also present were the Magongo
family members, who filled up the court seats and were all wearing T-shirts with
the late police officer’s picture, as well as words she used to say ‘ukhona
God’ to most people she related with. Shongwe’s family members were also
present and at some point while outside, the Magongo family was heard shouting
words directed at Shongwe’s family, in that justice had to be served for their
sister. Further notable faces were those of some former councillors at Nhlangano
Town Council, as well the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Babsy Mavuso. Police
officers who worked with the deceased Magongo were also present in court, in
particular her close friends. Shongwe stands accused of the murder of his wife,
who was assassinated at Extension 4 below His Majesty’s Correctional Services
facility in Nhlangano, around 8pm on November 30, 2022. The police officer was
returning from work when she was shot.
Worth noting is that a case of attempted attack was reported to the police about
two weeks before she was killed, after three men attempted to attack her when
she got home from work. It was said that she saw them through a window and
raised the alarm. In court yesterday, unlike other suspects, who when they
appear for the first time, use the main entrances to the court buildings;
Shongwe was whisked through the underground entrance, used by His Majesty’s
Correctional Services (HMCS) to bring remanded inmates into court. He used the
same entrance when appearing before Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi.
Jointly
According to the charge sheet, the accused has been charged with the crime of
murder, in that the said accused person, allegedly acting individually or
jointly in furtherance of a common purpose with a person(s) still being sought
by the police, did unlawfully and intentionally kill one Tigezile Magongo.
Shongwe was remanded in custody until March 30, 2023, pending committal to the
High Court. He was taken to the Nhlangano Police Station, before being whisked
to HMCS facility. It was gathered that Shongwe recorded a confession. It was
also gathered from sources working close to the matter that police
investigations led to a man who recorded a statement that Shongwe once requested
services of a hit man from him. This was said to have been part of the
investigations that led to his arrest.