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Seven suspects from Ntabankhulu have been sentenced to life in prison for burning and killing two women whom they believed to be witches.
The convicted individuals include Mzaza siblings, Nonjojo siblings, and other community members: Lwandiso Mzaza (29), Lufefe Mzaza (28), Yamkela Nonjojo (31), Odwa Nonjojo (34), Aneliiwe Nonjojo (32), Zithini Rhayisa (34), and Nkhonzeni Ngcavangcosi (24). They were all sentenced in Mthatha High Court on Friday, July 7th.
According to reports, the incident occurred in December 2018. The suspects held two meetings with their leader, Lwandiso, to plan the attack. They collected money to buy petrol, intending to burn the victims, their families, and their homes.
Tyali, a representative in the case, stated, “On that night, Nothethisa Ntshamba was at home with her husband, her sister Ntombekhaya Ndlanya, and her three children, unaware that a plan was in motion to kill them.”
He continued, “Ntshamba and her sister went outside to her home and saw a group of people attacking them with stones and petrol before setting them and their house on fire.”
The suspects were arrested but initially denied the charges, claiming that no one saw the attackers as it was night. However, one of the suspects, Rhayisa, pleaded guilty in court.
Following Rhayisa’s guilty plea, the court sentenced them based on eyewitness accounts, including testimony from the victims’ children.
High Court Lawyer Mbulelo Nyendwa highlighted the issue of women being killed on suspicion of witchcraft across the country.
Judge Nozuko Mjali stated, “No respected country can tolerate this. The suspects deserved a harsh sentence for not obeying the law.”
