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‘Suitcase murderers’: Mother and daughter sentenced to life in jail
They were found guilty for the gruesome murders of another mother and her daughter in KwaZulu-Natal in October 2020.
The duo was also slapped with another eleven years in jail for kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. A Mozambican national has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a 12-year-old girl in the North West province. Guilhermo Jose Thomas Uchaio appeared in the Phokeng Magistrates’ Court where sentence was handed down. The 54-year-old’s conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 20 November 2022 at Freedom Park, near Tlhabane. Rape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Heny Mamothame said Uchaio was renting a shack at the at Freedom Park, near Tlhabane when the rape took place. “On the said day, a former tenant went to the mother of the victim and told her that she had a prophecy about the complaint being in danger, and enquired about her whereabouts. The mother pointed to the shack of the accused, as the child was earlier seen assisting him with his chores. “The former tenant went to look for the child, but there was no response from the shack. She testified that she saw the accused jumping out of his bed naked when she peeped through the window. She then went back to the mother to indicate that the child was not there, but the mother insisted that the child was inside the shack. They then went back, and upon arrival, the child was standing outside the door, and she told them that the accused raped her,” Mamothame said. Mamothame added the child was rushed to the doctor, who confirmed that she was violated. “The matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested, and the court denied him bail.” Sentencing During court proceedings, state prosecutor, Obed Molope urged the court to consider the psychological harm that the incident did to the minor, thus persuading it not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Magistrate Segakweng Moeng agreed with the state and remarked that the accused “abused his powers, as he knew that the victim trusted him.” The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, investigating officer from the Saps, as well as other role players who ensured that the perpetrator is brought to book.
A mother and daughter have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of another mother and daughter in KwaZulu-Natal.
Slindile Zamisa (43) and her daughter, Andile Zamisa (23), appeared in the Durban High Court on Thursday, where the sentences was handed down.
The mother and daughter were found guilty for the gruesome murders of Simangele Simamane and her daughter Sbongakonke Mthembu in October 2020.
Murders
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the mother and daughter were also slapped with another eleven years in jail for kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
“The bodies of Simangele and Sbongakonke, who were 36 and 12-years-old at the time, were found by a community member along the Lwandle Drive in KwaDabeka. They were stuffed in a suitcase with multiple injuries and strangulation marks.
“The mother and her daughter were reported missing on 5 October 2020, and a police investigation uncovered that the two were last seen at the residence of Slindile, a mere two houses away from their home. Slindile, Andile, Nomfundo Ngcobo and Lwandle Ngcobo, who was 12-year-old at the time, duly furnished police with their statements and thereafter disappeared without a trace,” Netshiunda said.
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Bodies
Netshiunda added investigations then led officers to a minibus which was used to transport the dead bodies form the original crime scene to where they were dumped.
“The owner of the minibus, Sthembiso Lamula (42), who was a boyfriend to Slindile, was consequently arrested and he pleaded guilty on two counts of accessory to the fact. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the crime.
“The long arm of the law was also able to locate the four fugitives from their hiding spot and were brought to justice. On 25 April 2021, Nomfundo Ngcobo (23) pleaded guilty on one count of murder and was subsequently handed a 20-year prison sentence.
“The trial for the youngest culprit, 15-year-old Lwandle Ngcobo is still on going and she will be in the dock again on Monday, 22 May 2023,” he said.
Authorities applauded
The Provincial Commissioner of police in KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, applauded the investigative work done by the Provincial Crime Investigation Service (CIS).
“Sentences of this nature will restore public trust in the justice system and we appreciate a great relationship between our investigators and the prosecutors,” he said.
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