The husband of Nokulunga Mashabane (32), the KwaDukuza municipal official who was brutally murdered in KZN in June, made his first appearance in court yesterday.

North Coast Courier reports that Thobani Nzama (31) and his co-accused, Sipho Mgwaba (26), are charged with premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Mashabane’s family said they are still in shock, not only over her violent death, but also the recent revelation that she was secretly married to Nzama.

More than 100 KwaDukuza municipal employees, family and residents gathered outside the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court, calling for justice in the case of Mashabane.

She worked as the manager of intergovernmental relations and protocol in the office of the mayor.

The mother of three was found dead in her car on the N2-Zinkwazi link road in June, with multiple gunshot wounds to the head.

Her brother, Thokozani Mashabane, expressed deep grief and anger after the court appearance.

“We always knew him as Nokulunga’s partner, but we were shocked to learn that they had gotten married in January, without any of us, her family, knowing.

“There were no witnesses. He abused Nokulunga, and our suspicions only deepened when he failed to attend her funeral. We hope the court gives him the harshest sentence possible,” he said.

The Mashabane family was visibly emotional throughout the proceedings. Their sorrow was palpable as they watched the two accused men being led into court.

The accused have been remanded in custody for a bail application this coming Friday.

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