THE Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced Nkosiyezwe David Gwala (43) to two terms of life imprisonment, yesterday (17 November ), for the murder and rape of an elderly woman. His sentence came after the court heard of the gruesome events leading to the brutal murder of the  Inchanga woman.  

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KZN police spokesperson, Col Thembeka Mbele said Thandi Magwaza (62) left her home in the KaDenge area in Inchanga on 16 December 2019 and did not return.

“A missing persons docket was opened at Inchanga SAPS by her family for investigation and a search was conducted. On 14 December 2019, her lifeless body was found in the bushes by members of the community and the police with no visible injuries,” said Mbele.

An inquest docket was opened for investigation. According to Mbele, the post-mortem was conducted and revealed that the victim was raped and strangled to death. The inquest docket was changed to charges of murder and rape. The docket was assigned to a dedicated officer who investigated the matter further.

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“The investigation led the investigating officer to the deceased’s neighbour Nkosiyezwe Gwala who was placed under arrest on 22 December 2019. He made several court appearances and bail was denied at court. He was kept behind the bars until he was sentenced,” said Mbele.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula praised the investigating officer for putting the accused behind the bars. “This is evident that a well prepared docket was presented at court to secure a successful sentence,” he said.

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