Justice has been served nearly six years after Nothethisa Ntshamba and Ntombekhaya Ndlanya were brutally murdered in the presence of their children. The Eastern Cape High Court sitting in Ntabankulu sentenced seven individuals to life imprisonment for the heinous crime. The convicts, Lwandiso Mzaza, 29, Lufefe Mzaza, 28, Zithini Rhayisa, 34, Yamkela Nonjojo, 31, Odwa Nonjojo, 34, Anelisiwe Nonjojo, 32, and Mkhonzeni Ngcabangcosi, 24, were found guilty of two counts of murder and arson…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape, the gruesome incident occurred on December 12, 2018. The group of young people, led by Lwandiso Mzaza, held two meetings where they decided to kill Ntshamba and Ndlanya by burning them alive, accusing them of practising witchcraft. They pooled money to buy petrol for the attack. That night, the group ambushed Ntshamba and Ndlanya, assaulting them, pelting them with stones, and finally setting them on fire.

The violence did not end with the women’s deaths. The assailants also burned the Ntshamba homestead to ashes, displacing the victims’ families and instilling fear in the community. During the trial, all accused denied involvement, but the court found the confession of one of the perpetrators, Zithini Rhayisa, admissible despite her attempts to distance herself from the crime. The court’s ruling was a significant step in addressing the rampant issue of violence against women accused of witchcraft. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali highlighted the broader implications of the case, stating that violence against women accused of witchcraft is a prevalent issue not only in the Eastern Cape but across South Africa. Senior State Advocate Mbulelo Nyendwa emphasized the enduring trauma faced by the victims’ children, who lost their mothers and continue to live with the stigma of being labeled as children of witches. The life sentences handed down to the perpetrators underscore the justice system’s commitment to combating such barbaric acts and protecting vulnerable individuals in society.