LISWATI ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF WOMAN, 3 KIDS IN SA

MBABANE – The Piet Retief Magistrates Court has remanded in custody a liSwati man for charges of murder of a woman and her three children.

The accused, Afrika Shongwe (55) appeared at the Piet Retief Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with four counts of murder and one of contravention of the Immigration Act. Shongwe is accused of killing Philisiwe Makhubu (44), her twins Andile Nkosi (13), Luyanda Nkosi (13) and Siphelele Nkosi (6), who were hacked to death while at their home at Phola Park, Thandukukhanya.

Statement

According to a media statement issued by the office of the Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga, it is alleged that the victims were last seen alive on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. The gruesome discovery was made by the police on February 24, 2023, following a complaint by family members, who after several attempts to get hold of them, failed. Police immediately responded to the complaint, however, they found the house locked and forced entry. They were astonished by the discovery of a lifeless body in the kitchen and when they continued with their search, stumbled on the body of the woman, along her 13-year-old son and daughter in one of the rooms. An axe believed to have been used to commit the murder was also found in the same room. The body, which was found in the kitchen, was that of the other twin. The incident has also been confirmed by the South African Police Service (SAPS), Mpumalanga Spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala. Shongwe was remanded in custody until March 27, 2023.

Accused

Meanwhile, another liSwati who was accused of murder in South Africa has expressed disappointment in the delay of his trial, which has dragged for almost five years. Thabo Sibandze, who hails from Shiselweni, told the Sibasa Regional Court in Limpopo on February 13 that he wanted a fair trial to commence as he had been kept in prison for almost five years without trial. Sibandze was arrested for intimidation on March 1, 2019 after some Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), SA Municipal Workers Union (SAMAWU) members and councillors received intimidating calls. He was also charged under the Immigration Act, as he did not possess the necessary documents to be in that country legally. On Saturday, a 38-year-old South African man is believed to have killed his ex-lover and 11-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself. The incident happened in Bela-Bela, Polokwane. Police confirmed that when they responded to the scene, all three were confirmed dead by paramedics. “The suspect allegedly went to the victim’s house at around 12pm and without saying anything, fired shots at the woman and her daughter before killing himself,” the police said.

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