THE 60-year-old man who is accused of murdering two elderly women in Umgababa appeared in the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, August 21.

Thokozani Mhlongo was arrested on Friday, August 18, after the bodies of Zanele Doris Mbuso (62) and Monica Sophie Xulu (70) were found in a shallow grave at Ethembeni Créche in Umgababa where they both worked on Thursday evening, August 17.

The créche was owned by Xulu and the accused was employed as a security guard at the same créche. The bodies were found – with the help of sniffer dogs – with plastic bags covering their heads and their hands bound. Mbuso and Xulu went missing on Women’s Day, August 9, after returning from shopping in preparation for an event that would take place the following day.

Also read: Help find missing Umgababa women

In court, a tearful Mhlongo said he could not afford a lawyer, requesting the state to appoint one for him. The case was postponed to August 28, when Mhlongo is able to make a bail application. As he was being led back to the holding cells, Mhlongo turned and faced the packed gallery and said, ‘Ngiyaxolisa’ which is isiZulu for ‘I’m sorry’.

Speaking on behalf of the deceased’s families, Dawn Gounden of Renegades Search and Rescue, said the Umkomaas SAPS detective unit and the SAPS Ethekwini District Task Team worked tirelessly, leading to Mhlongo’s arrest. The late Mbuso worked for Gounden’s family as a carer and resigned at the beginning of this year to work closer to home at the créche. Gounden said both families have been left traumatised by their mothers’ deaths.

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza condemned the killings, saying the spike in gender-based violence (GBV) in the province is troubling.

“These acts of violence against women underscore the alarming prevalence of GBV within our province. Such brutality challenges our fundamental values and sense of community. It is imperative that we unite to ensure that these abhorrent acts do not define us,” said Khoza.

She added that a team of social workers from her department will offer support and trauma counselling to both families.

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