A man and a woman were found guilty of murder, kidnapping, and breaking into a house and were given life sentences. The two killed the woman's stepdaughter and tried to murder her mother-in-law.
Provincial spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident occurred on May 5, 2023, when the female accused, Zanele Nhleko, accompanied by her male accomplice, visited her 75-year-old mother-in-law at night with the intent to kill her for unknown reasons.
“They broke a window to gain entry into the house and proceeded to strangle the elderly woman with a rope until she lost consciousness.”
The court heard that during the attack, the victim’s 12-year-old granddaughter woke up and recognized Nhleko, her stepmother. Realizing her grandmother was no longer breathing, the child screamed for help. Fearing exposure, the two suspects forcibly abducted the girl, gagged her, and drove away with her in their vehicle.
Ledwaba added that concerned neighbours, who saw the suspicious vehicle speeding away, went to check on the elderly woman and found her unconscious. They immediately alerted police and emergency services, and she was taken to hospital for medical attention. Shortly afterwards, cases of attempted murder and kidnapping were opened at Giyani Police Station.
“A case of attempted murder and kidnapping were opened at Giyani SAPS and assigned to Sergeant Amukelani Evans Mathevula, who launched an intensive investigation. His diligent work led him to Kempton Park and Thembisa in the Gauteng Province, where the suspects were arrested just three days after the incident,” he said.
Ledwaba further revealed that during the investigation, the suspects led police to a location along the R81 road, where the kidnapped girl’s body was found hanging from a tree with a rope. A murder charge was subsequently added to the case.
Following a thorough investigation and successful prosecution, both accused were convicted and sentenced as follows:
Ledwaba explained that the sentences will run concurrently, and that both accused will serve life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Commissioner commended the investigating officer for his diligent work.
“This heartless and brutal crime shocked the community, and we are pleased that justice has prevailed. The sentence should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone who believes they can commit such heinous crimes and escape accountability,” said Hadebe.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za