News / Regional
Trio allegedly cuts off breasts, privates of 3 women
21 Mar 2014 at 02:26hrs | Views
THREE men, including a teenager, allegedly killed four people for suspected ritual purposes in Gwanda and cut off their breasts and private parts.
Mncedisi Ndlovu, 18, Nhlanhla Sibanda, 23 and Bhekimpilo Mthethwa yesterday appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese facing four counts of murder.
Whisper Mabaudhi, prosecuting told the court that the trio killed Melina Mahlangu, cut off both her breasts and clitoris before robbing her of her belongings which were later recovered at the men's homesteads in Stanmore.
He said the men also killed Nothando Siziba and hacked off her left breast before killing her seven-month-old baby.
"They buried them in shallow graves and later killed Ntombana Moyo, 81, whom they also robbed," said Mabaudhi.
Court records show that one of the 15 witnesses called to testify, revealed that Ndlovu claimed he was sent by a Stanmore businessman who was not named in court, to kill and mutilate the bodies.
Shadreck Ndlovu, father to Mncedisi said, "I asked my son why he committed the crimes and he told me he was sent by a businessman from Stanmore who needed female breasts for rituals."
Another witness, Ntombizodwa Khumalo girlfriend to Sibanda stated that she did not own the two panties and a bra recovered from her accused boyfriend.
This led the State to believe the undergarments belonged to one of the victims.
The trio, through their pro deo lawyers denied committing the murders or mutilating the dead bodies when their trial started on January, 24, 2012.
They still want the State led by Mabaudhi to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that they committed the offences. They all claim that they only admitted committing the offences after being severely assaulted by the police.
Ndlovu forced court proceedings to adjourn when he disowned his new pro deo lawyer.
"I do not know this man and I am not sure if he will be able to represent me in a satisfactory manner. He is not aware of my evidence in chief. I do not think he can fully represent me," said Ndlovu.
Justice Makonese reassured Ndlovu that he still had rights and that his lawyer was capable of giving him legal advice.
"You still have a right to suggest any lawyer that you think will best suit you. We are not imposing him but you should remember your initial lawyer is now late.
"The three accused persons are further remanded in custody and the defence counsel and State will advise you of the next court date after our meeting in my chambers tomorrow morning," said Justice Makonese.
The State's case is that between 18 November and 8 December 2010, the trio allegedly killed four people in the Stanmore area and mutilated their bodies before dumping the bodies in the bush or burying them in shallow graves.
Some of the dead people's property was allegedly recovered through their indications.
Mncedisi Ndlovu, 18, Nhlanhla Sibanda, 23 and Bhekimpilo Mthethwa yesterday appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese facing four counts of murder.
Whisper Mabaudhi, prosecuting told the court that the trio killed Melina Mahlangu, cut off both her breasts and clitoris before robbing her of her belongings which were later recovered at the men's homesteads in Stanmore.
He said the men also killed Nothando Siziba and hacked off her left breast before killing her seven-month-old baby.
"They buried them in shallow graves and later killed Ntombana Moyo, 81, whom they also robbed," said Mabaudhi.
Court records show that one of the 15 witnesses called to testify, revealed that Ndlovu claimed he was sent by a Stanmore businessman who was not named in court, to kill and mutilate the bodies.
Shadreck Ndlovu, father to Mncedisi said, "I asked my son why he committed the crimes and he told me he was sent by a businessman from Stanmore who needed female breasts for rituals."
Another witness, Ntombizodwa Khumalo girlfriend to Sibanda stated that she did not own the two panties and a bra recovered from her accused boyfriend.
This led the State to believe the undergarments belonged to one of the victims.
They still want the State led by Mabaudhi to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that they committed the offences. They all claim that they only admitted committing the offences after being severely assaulted by the police.
Ndlovu forced court proceedings to adjourn when he disowned his new pro deo lawyer.
"I do not know this man and I am not sure if he will be able to represent me in a satisfactory manner. He is not aware of my evidence in chief. I do not think he can fully represent me," said Ndlovu.
Justice Makonese reassured Ndlovu that he still had rights and that his lawyer was capable of giving him legal advice.
"You still have a right to suggest any lawyer that you think will best suit you. We are not imposing him but you should remember your initial lawyer is now late.
"The three accused persons are further remanded in custody and the defence counsel and State will advise you of the next court date after our meeting in my chambers tomorrow morning," said Justice Makonese.
The State's case is that between 18 November and 8 December 2010, the trio allegedly killed four people in the Stanmore area and mutilated their bodies before dumping the bodies in the bush or burying them in shallow graves.
Some of the dead people's property was allegedly recovered through their indications.
Source - chronicle
