THE trial of Thabo Ntokozo Theodore Nzimande (32), who is in the dock for the alleged murder and decapitation of his 80-year-old grandmother, resumed in the Durban High Court on Monday, December 8.

Nzimande has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Beata Beatrice de Lange and stated that on the night he had smoked cannabis and overdosed on prescription pills before passing out, and is neither aware of what had happened to his grandmother, nor in the granny flat, which was found bloodied and in disarray by the first police officers at the scene of the murder.

The court has heard testimony from the investigating officer (OI), Detective Sergeant Noelin Chetty of the Pinetown SAPS, that this is “a very unusual case”.

Through his defence attorney, Emmanuel Chiliza, Nzimande has denied testimony from Chetty that he had said he was not a success in life because his deceased grandmother had failed to perform certain rituals for him, but agreed he had said voices had told him he knew what to do.

The court heard from Chetty that Nzimande had allegedly made these utterances en route to Fort Napier Hospital last year, where, as per a court order, he was to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Also read: Investigator testifies on ‘very unusual case’ of decapitation

The court also heard from Chetty that he had interviewed Nzimande a day after De Lange’s murder in police holding cells and that at the time, Nzimande was still in bloodstained clothes.

De Lange was murdered on June 7, 2024, in the Pinetown property of Nzimande’s uncle, John Ngcobo.

The defence has argued that the State is trying to paint a picture that there were problems between De Lange and Nzimande.

The court has heard from Ngcobo, and his son, Zwelethu, the accused’s cousin, that the relationship between the grandson in the dock and De Lange had soured towards the end of her life.

The court also heard from the uncle that Nzimande’s troublesome ways, which allegedly included stealing from relatives and excessive alcohol consumption, and the taking of drugs, had caused a rift within the family, with De Lange on the side that supported the accused’s rehabilitation journey.

Nzimande has also disputed testimony by a State witness that at the time of his arrest he had allegedly shouted that his ancestors had “instructed” him to commit the gruesome murder.

The matter continues in court.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here