Pietermaritzburg court hands ‘witchcraft murderer’ 6 life terms

A man who shot and killed his six family members over witchcraft claims will never again see the light of day after he was found guilty and on Thursday sentenced to six life sentences.

Sthembiso Nkosinathi Mthimkhulu (38) was handed down the sentence at the Pietermaritzburg High Court for the murders he committed in the Nkanini area in eShowe in February 2021.

According to the police statement, prior to the incident, one of Mthimkhulu’s relatives had passed away, and he suspected that his uncle had practised witchcraft on the relative.

On February 20, 2021, Mthimkhulu drove to his uncle’s homestead where he found him with other relatives.

He opened fire, killing the six people who were in the room. These included his uncle and two children, aged eight and 10.

Mthimkhulu then fled the scene and was arrested after his car was tracked to Greytown where, according to the police, he had gone to see a traditional healer.

In the state’s case, Advocate Mbongeni Chamane led the testimony of an eyewitness and handed in victim impact statements compiled by the deceased’s grandchildren, and facilitated by court preparation officers Nokuvela Mlotshwa and Amanda Nxumalo.

In her statement, the younger child drew pictures of a happy family before the tragedy then shed tears when she was talking about the ordeal.

The older grandchild said her parents had died when she was very young, so her grandparents (the deceased) were like her parents.

She further said they took such good care of her and she misses them, adding that the family is still traumatised and live with fear and anxiety.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) commended the work done by the prosecution and police.

“It is incumbent on us to fight for justice on behalf of the victims of crime. We hope stringent sentences like this convey our commitment to the fight against crime,” said NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.