SITEKI – A man accused of killing his children’s mother allegedly admitted beating her with a stick in a statement presented to court.
Mfanukhona Phinda Sifundza (37), of KaKhuphuka, appeared before Principal Magistrate Donald Mavuso at the Siteki Magistrates Court on Wednesday, charged with murdering Phumzile Hlatjwako (37), of Luve.
The charge relates to an incident on November 2, 2026, at Sikhuphe.
The court remanded Sifundza in custody until November 11, 2026, pending committal of the matter to the High Court.
He was arrested at Matsamo Border Gate, where he allegedly intended to leave the country following the incident.
A statement presented to court alleges that Sifundza repeatedly struck Hlatjwako with a stick near Sikhuphe Forest while they were returning from a traditional healer.
According to the statement, the couple had been experiencing relationship problems involving allegations of infidelity and disagreements over the paternity of their three children.
Sifundza claimed he and Hlatjwako had moved to his sister’s home near Siteki after he suspected her of having an affair with a neighbour in Matsapha, where he had been working.
He alleged that Hlatjwako had a close relationship with the neighbour’s mother and claimed he had found Hlatjwako and the neighbour together inside the house on several occasions.
Sifundza said his suspicions led him to question whether he was the father of their three children.
On the day of the alleged killing, the couple visited a traditional healer who Sifundza had consulted about what he described as persistent misfortune in his life.
He claimed he had recently been released from prison and wanted to know why he continued to experience difficulties.
According to his statement, the traditional healer allegedly blamed his misfortune on the neighbour’s mother.
The couple reportedly began arguing about their children’s paternity after leaving the traditional healer’s home.
Sifundza claimed Hlatjwako told him during the argument that the children might not be his.
He said he became angry and picked up a stick, which he allegedly used to strike Hlatjwako repeatedly.
According to the statement, Sifundza claimed he stopped assaulting her when she became unresponsive.
He said Hlatjwako later asked for water, prompting him to go to a nearby shop to buy her something to drink.
While at the shop, Sifundza reportedly met a friend and told him he believed he had killed the mother of his children.
The statement indicates that Sifundza and his friend later returned to the scene, where he said he had left Hlatjwako under a tree with her face covered.
Sifundza claimed he subsequently spent the night at his friend’s house.
The following morning, he allegedly returned home and collected his clothes and those belonging to Hlatjwako before heading towards Matsamo Border Gate.
According to the statement, soldiers at the border gate noticed women’s clothes inside his bag and questioned him about their owner.
Sifundza allegedly told the soldiers what had happened, leading to his arrest.
The court advised him of his right to apply for bail.
