The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court postponed the murder case against the Mathunywa sisters, who allegedly conspired with their two co-accused to kill their mother, Wanter Dlamini, to Monday for trial.

On Wednesday, Mpumalanga NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the sisters, Valencia Nonhlanhla and Bathabile Mthunywa, as well as Nombuso Philadephia Ndwandwa and Steen Silo Mashakeng are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, theft, rape, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

This is in connection with an incident in Barberton on January 2020, where the deceased’s body was discovered at a local dumping area near the abattoir.

The murder is suspected to be related to a life insurance payout.

“The matter was set down for trial on Monday, and the state was ready to proceed. However, the new legal representative for accused four requested time to consult with her client in preparation for trial. This is after the accused had terminated the services of her previous legal representative. All parties involved agreed to postpone the matter to this Monday for trial,” Nyuswa said.

According to police reports of 2020, Dlamini was invited to visit her 30-year-old daughter, Nonhlanhla. Nonhlanhla allegedly organised her sister and two male friends, and they waited for her mother. When Dlamini eventually arrived at Nonhlanhla’s house, she was kidnapped, assaulted and gang-raped, allegedly by the two male friends, while it is believed Nonhlanhla and the other female were holding her.

Dlamini’s body was discovered later on.