Case Studies: Hacked, set alight in view of grandsons

Nogcinile Tshele, 61, of Rhawutini village between Port St Johns and Libode was hacked with bush knives, stabbed with sharpened iron bars and then set alight.

Tshele was killed in full view of her young grandsons, aged seven and 11, allegedly by members and supporters of a soccer club, on May 16 this year.

Nomangesi and Nombulelo’s bodies were found that evening by police, about 300m apart.

Their faces had been badly disfigured after they were stoned and hit with blunt objects.

Nobuntu’s mud-covered body was found the following morning, dumped near a stream in the village.

She had also suffered terrible head injuries.

No villagers took part in the search and they also refused to attend the women’s funerals.

Nomangesi’s great-granddaughter, who was 13, in Grade 4, was at school, while her three siblings – aged between one and three – were at home at the time but were left unharmed.

Only one person was ever found guilty of their murders, and sentenced to life imprisonment.