THE defence in the Durban High Court matter in which Phiwaynhlanhla Nzama is accused of the 2024 murder of a couple in Nazareth, Pinetown, is seeking to rope in an expert to examine the firearm which was allegedly used for the crimes.

Nzama appeared in the court on Thursday, where the matter was adjourned to October 9, when it is expected that a trial date will be set.

It is alleged that in the early hours of April 14, 2024, Nzama used his licensed firearm to fatally shoot Phindile Nicole Kubone in the head while she was asleep with her baby in her room.

Kubone’s partner, Ntobeko Eugene Mhlungu, was allegedly shot and killed by Nzama as he was fleeing the scene. Nzama encountered Mhlungu as he was returning to Kubone’s room.

It is alleged that Nzama had decided to murder Kubone because he accused her and her friend of stealing money from his room at a cottage in Nazareth, Pinetown. The couple resided in the same cottage with their infant child.

Also read: Court hears of troubled relationship between gran and her alleged murderer

Nzama allegedly accused Kubone and her friend of stealing money after the former had approached him on April 12, 2024, to borrow it from him.

However, it is alleged that despite sharing an intimate moment with Nzama, Kubone did not get the financial assistance she sought.

It is also alleged that in the early hours of April 15, 2024, Nzama disposed of his firearm at his homestead in Kranskop.

In addition to the two counts of murder, Nzama faces a third count, a failure to lock away his firearm in a prescribed safe, strong room or device for safekeeping when the weapon was not carried by him or not directly under his control.

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