Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
EIGHTY-SIX days after the deaths of Nothabo Zandile Khumalo and her daughters Natalie and Nala, their families say they are still grappling with grief and unanswered questions as legal proceedings involving Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma continue in South Africa.
The Khumalo and Magonya families issued the statement after Tshuma’s latest appearance before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court, where his South African criminal matter was postponed to October 21 for the finalisation of a plea and sentence agreement.
The 45-year-old Zimbabwean-born British national is wanted in the United Kingdom in connection with the alleged murders of his wife Nothabo, 42, and their daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five. He was arrested in Johannesburg on July 10 after fleeing Britain.
The South African proceedings are separate from the UK extradition case.
Tshuma has pleaded guilty to four South African charges relating to the unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm with an obliterated serial number, unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and contravention of the Immigration Act.
However, the plea and sentence agreement has not yet been finalised, resulting in another postponement.
The State told the court on September 30 that negotiations with Tshuma were still incomplete. Magistrate Sindisiwe Malindi postponed the matter to October 21 and ordered that Tshuma remain in custody.
The families said the latest development was difficult to absorb.
“Today’s decision is therefore deeply difficult for us to absorb,” they said.
They stressed that they respected the judicial process and were not seeking to interfere with the courts.
“We do not underestimate the importance of due process, nor do we seek to interfere with it,” the families said.
“But we also cannot lose sight of what lies at the heart of these proceedings: three precious lives were lost.
“Nothabo. Natalie. Nala.”
The families said they wanted the allegations surrounding the deaths to be heard fully and fairly before a court of law, with the truth established through due process.
Their statement also contained an appeal for assistance from legal, governmental, diplomatic, human-rights and women’s safety organisations.
They said they were seeking support in navigating the legal process and pursuing every lawful avenue available to obtain answers.
“We do not ask anyone to stand above the law or to interfere with the judicial process,” they said.
“We ask those with influence, expertise and a responsibility to support families affected by violence to stand alongside us as we continue to seek a fair and lawful path forward.”
The latest postponement adds to a series of delays that have followed Tshuma’s arrest and the start of proceedings in South Africa.
Earlier in September, the National Prosecuting Authority said it had entered into a Section 105A plea and sentencing agreement with Tshuma after he pleaded guilty to the four South African charges.
The proceedings were partially heard before the court adjourned the matter to allow the State to obtain the necessary authorisation for the agreement.
The NPA has also confirmed that it has received the documentation required for the separate UK extradition proceedings. The UK wants Tshuma returned to face three murder charges arising from the deaths of Nothabo and the two children.
The families said they understood that legal processes could not move at the same pace as their grief.
“For eighty six days, we have lived with grief, uncertainty and unanswered questions,” they said.
“We understand that legal processes cannot move at the pace of grief. But behind every hearing, legal argument and procedural decision are real people. Families waiting to understand what happened to those they love.”
The family also broadened its appeal to the wider issue of violence against women and girls.
They said they hoped the legacy of Nothabo, Natalie and Nala would go beyond the circumstances of their deaths and contribute to efforts to recognise warning signs, take concerns seriously, protect people at risk and act before another life is lost.
They said they would continue to grieve the three family members, honour their lives and seek answers through the proper legal channels.
“We will continue to speak their names.
“We will continue to honour the lives they lived.
“And we will continue to seek answers through the proper legal processes available to us.”
Tshuma is expected back before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on October 21 as the South African plea and sentencing proceedings continue.
