Brothers guilty of murdering brother’s wife

The two Peddie brothers and their cousin, accused of robbing, kidnapping and murdering their older brother's wife in January 2017, were found guilty of the crimes by the Bhisho High Court today.

Brothers Ayabulela Maliza, 22, Odwa Maliza, 18, and their Mdantsane cousin Vuyolwethu “Mashava” Mkwaniso, 26, appeared before judge Nomathamsanqa Beshe yesterday to hear their fate over charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The three accused were arrested on January 17 2017 in Peddie in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Noluthabo Vellem Maliza,25. Maliza was abducted on January 13 2017 outside the Peddie Magistrate's Court and her body was found dumped 27km outside the two in the bushes next to her husband's car.

The three accused are accused of kidnapping Vellem-Maliza while she was seated inside her husband Momelezi Maliza's car while he had gone inside the court.

Beshe, who postponed the judgment to June 1 because accused one Ayabulela Maliza's lawyer was absent, found the trio guilty of all three charges. Beshe found the three to have intentionally and unlawfully assault the victim, and with force or threat of violence did take and steal from her a Toyota Corrola motor vehicle. On count two which is kidnapping, Beshe said the accused did unlawfully and intentionally deprive Vellem-Maliza of her freedom of movement by preventing her from getting out of a motor vehicle and driving away with her in the motor vehicle.On the third count, which is murder, Beshe told the court that at or near Ndlambe Village in Peddie, the accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill Malizo.