A grade 11 pupil arrested in connection with the murder of three elderly women hacked and stoned to death at the weekend is due to appear in the Lady Frere Magistrate’s Court today.
The Mhlontlo Senior Secondary School pupil allegedly hacked the three women to death in KwaMaqashu Village on Saturday afternoon.
The 19-year-old suspect, who cannot be named until he has appeared in court, was handed over to detectives by relatives after he fled an angry mob of villagers to Seplan Village on Monday evening.
The killings were reportedly carried out in revenge after one of the woman is alleged to have accused him of an unrelated housebreaking incident, where television sets and other household items were stolen from some homes in the last month.
The victims, who were related and from the Nyandube clan, have been identified as 70-year-old Noyabathini Mangxaba, Nomengile Sono (neé Lulama Nqwenani), also 70 and Nokodwa Seti, aged 65.
Soto lived in nearby KwaHala Village.
Headman of the Mhlontlo Traditional Council Mzimasi Nqwenani, 59, said the attacker had used a bushknife, a pick axe and rocks to kill the women.
Nqwenani said the suspect lived alone. He was among a group of young men brandishing pangas who tried to hold hostage a group of elderly men at a funeral in the same village earlier on Saturday.
Nqwenani said the attack took place 200m from where the suspect lived.
“He was running amok like a wild animal ready to devour anything in front of him,” he said.
Seti’s body was found lying at the front door while Mangxaba’s body was found behind the kraal. Sono died in the arms of her 37-year-old son, Mzoxolo, as she was being transported to hospital.
A devastated Mzoxolo said the killer chased his mother for about 300m.
“Her injuries looked like she had been involved in a car accident, not through the actions of an individual.
“Since he cannot bring back our parents, he should die in jail,” said Mzoxolo.
Mangxaba’s brother, Malusi, 57, also called for life imprisonment for his sister’s killer.
Sono will be buried on November 1 while Seti and Mangxaba will be buried the following day.
Nqweniso said the murders were drug related and young men targeted elderly women for their pension money which they used to buy dagga and mandrax.
“This has nothing to do with witchcraft,” he said.
Lady Frere police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Namhla Mdleleni said the suspect was facing three counts of murder. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Pupil held after three hacked to death
The Mhlontlo Senior Secondary School pupil allegedly hacked the three women to death in KwaMaqashu Village on Saturday afternoon.
The 19-year-old suspect, who cannot be named until he has appeared in court, was handed over to detectives by relatives after he fled an angry mob of villagers to Seplan Village on Monday evening.
The killings were reportedly carried out in revenge after one of the woman is alleged to have accused him of an unrelated housebreaking incident, where television sets and other household items were stolen from some homes in the last month.
The victims, who were related and from the Nyandube clan, have been identified as 70-year-old Noyabathini Mangxaba, Nomengile Sono (neé Lulama Nqwenani), also 70 and Nokodwa Seti, aged 65.
Soto lived in nearby KwaHala Village.
Headman of the Mhlontlo Traditional Council Mzimasi Nqwenani, 59, said the attacker had used a bushknife, a pick axe and rocks to kill the women.
Nqwenani said the suspect lived alone. He was among a group of young men brandishing pangas who tried to hold hostage a group of elderly men at a funeral in the same village earlier on Saturday.
Nqwenani said the attack took place 200m from where the suspect lived.
“He was running amok like a wild animal ready to devour anything in front of him,” he said.
Seti’s body was found lying at the front door while Mangxaba’s body was found behind the kraal. Sono died in the arms of her 37-year-old son, Mzoxolo, as she was being transported to hospital.
A devastated Mzoxolo said the killer chased his mother for about 300m.
“Her injuries looked like she had been involved in a car accident, not through the actions of an individual.
“Since he cannot bring back our parents, he should die in jail,” said Mzoxolo.
Mangxaba’s brother, Malusi, 57, also called for life imprisonment for his sister’s killer.
Sono will be buried on November 1 while Seti and Mangxaba will be buried the following day.
Nqweniso said the murders were drug related and young men targeted elderly women for their pension money which they used to buy dagga and mandrax.
“This has nothing to do with witchcraft,” he said.
Lady Frere police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Namhla Mdleleni said the suspect was facing three counts of murder. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos