Queen Nhleko and Lungile Khumalo, accused of the double murder of Fikile Zwane (34) and Chicco Radebe (34), appeared briefly in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on January 29.

They are now facing two counts of murder after Radebe died in hospital. The magistrate postponed the case to March 2, and the two women remain in custody.

Nhleko and Khumalo allegedly invited Zwane and Radebe to Khumalo’s house for drinks on the evening of June 6 last year. Khumalo was Zwane’s neighbour.

The two women then accused Zwane of stealing money and allegedly began assaulting her. Radebe apparently stepped in to help her, and the two also allegedly assaulted him.

According to Zwane and Radebe’s families, who also attended the court case on January 29, Nhleko and Khumalo allegedly held the couple hostage and tortured them throughout the night.

They were allegedly hit with a shove, stabbed with a knife and another sharp object, and assaulted with an electrical cord. One of the accused’s neighbours called Zwane’s family, who took her to a clinic where they declared her dead.

“When we got to the house to help Chicco and Fikile, the accused were drinking tea,” said Manitjie Radebe, the sister of Chicco.

The accused women handed themselves over to the police that morning. The family took Chicco to Witbank Hospital, where they treated him for numerous injuries.

He spent the next three to four months in and out of the hospital because of his injuries. He was later also admitted to Standerton Hospital, where he died.

He worked on farms and left behind two children, aged four and 10 years old, while Zwane left behind three children, aged 15, 10, and eight.

These children are now staying with family members. Some siblings are split up because one family member cannot afford to take care of all of them.

The two families of the deceased want to see the accused behind bars for at least 20 years.

“I want justice for my brother and his girlfriend,” said Manitjie.

Zwane’s grandmother, Emily Nkosi, looked tired and emotional at court. She said it is still a traumatic experience for the family.

The families feel that both the accused have shown no remorse since the attack. Members of the Justice for All activist group were also present at the courthouse. They have been supporting the family since the first court appearance.

PLEASE NOTE:  Chicco Radebe was identified as Chicco Hadebe in the original police report.

ALSO READ: Two appear in Standerton Magistrate’s Court for murder and attempted murder