Online Reporter
IT’S the family photo that sends shivers down the spine – Nothabo Zandile Tshuma and her two children at the back seat of a car, their infectious smiles a powerful exhibition of their happiness.
Her two kids, Natalie, 15, and five-year-old Nala, appear to be in uniform, suggesting she was on a school run.
The younger of her two daughters was sandwiched between mum and her big sister.
They all appear to be enjoying their life in the United Kingdom, where their dad, Ndodana Mkanyisi Tshuma, worked as an IT specialist in London. Zandile was an associate director at London-based Forensic Risk Alliance (FRA), where she specialised in fraud detection, anti-money laundering and regulatory compliance.
Ndodana and Zandile, 42, left Zimbabwe settle in England where the couple bought a £1,3m home in Bedford.
Ndodana Mkanyisi Tshuma
She worked with a number of international clients including in financial services, manufacturing, aerospace, and the oil & gas sector.
Zandile previously worked at KPMG where she helped banks and energy firms detect and monitor high-risk traders’ communications.
Last week, their home turned into a shocking crime scene as Ndodana allegedly killed his wife and his two daughters.
Reports have since emerged that the couple was having a divorce.
Now, Ndodana, who also goes by the name Mark, has disappeared, his last image was captured at Heathrow Airport, with his boarding pass, and a Coca-Cola plastic container, in hand, as he casually walked to a waiting plane.
Police suspect he boarded the plane, using his British passport, on his way to Zimbabwe.
Ndodana and Zandile are holders of dual Zimritish citizenship.
Now, there is an international manhunt for Ndodana. Zandile and her two children were found dead at their Great Denham home after police officers forced their way into the £1.3million house on Monday.
The trio had not been seen for several days.
Andrew Southam, who services the family’s swimming pool, said Mr and Mrs Tshuma were going through a divorce.
The 64-year-old said he last saw Ndodana at 1pm on Friday, when he came to carry out a check-up of the pool.
“I knew them very well, and met Mark every two weeks. He was a lovely guy, always smiling, very polite, spoke well.
“I saw Mark on Friday. He was fine. He was looking forward to his daughter’s sports day and praying that the weather would hold out, because previous sports days had been cancelled.
“So he was really looking forward to that.
“I think he was a brilliant father. He doted on his kids, you could see that.
“When I was around, he was very nice to his children. A nice family, a very nice man.”
He added:
“They had an agent in to value the property as they were getting a divorce. I hadn’t noticed any arguments or anything. They are both very successful people. “I’ve been in touch with police as I was at the house. When I left, everything was normal. I’m heartbroken. Lovely family, lovely kids.”
A family friend said her daughter was best friends with the youngest victim and described the suspected murder as “incomprehensible”.
“Both of them (the kids) – they were amazing.”
Asked if she knew of any problems in the family, the woman said she could not comment.
“I am shocked.”
Ndodana, according to his LinkedIn page, has an extensive corporate IT background in the United Kingdom.
He previously worked for over a decade at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in Milton Keynes, eventually serving as the organisation’s head of development and support until January 2024.
His educational roots trace back to Bulawayo where he studied Management Information Systems at Solusi University before acquiring further qualifications at the University of Plymouth and City St George’s.
Gemma Gibson, headmistress of Bedford Girls’ School, paid tribute to Natalie.
“Natalie was a bright and accomplished Year 10 student who was dearly loved by everyone at Bedford Girls’ School.
“She was a talented dancer, musician and keen sportswoman. She was fun loving, full of life and had a positive impact on everyone she came into contact with; she will be remembered with warmth and affection.
“Her tragic death, together with that of her loving mother and younger sister, who were also well known to many of us, is a hugely devastating shock to all at Bedford Girls’ School and the wider Harpur Trust group of schools.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Natalie’s wider family, friends and all of those impacted by this terrible news.
“Our focus remains on supporting our students, families and colleagues; we ask for privacy to allow us time to mourn our loss and support our community in private.
“When the time is right, we will come together as a community to remember Natalie. As this is still an ongoing police investigation, so we will not be commenting further. “
Detective Inspector Lee Martin, senior investigating officer, said:
“We have been carrying out numerous lines of enquiry as part of this fast-paced, complex investigation.
“We know that Mark Tshuma left the country on Saturday and is now believed to be in Zimbabwe.
“We are urgently working to find and apprehend him, and would appeal to him directly to hand himself in.
“Mark, unthinkable harm has been caused to those around you, and this has left your relatives and friends utterly devastated.
“Criminal investigation knows no borders. We are actively working with national and international agencies to pursue every available line of enquiry to track you down.
“Please do the right thing, come forward and hand yourself in to local authorities. Our thoughts are still very much with Zandile, Natalie and Nala, as well as all of those who loved and knew them, at this extremely difficult time.”
Family friend Leonard, 73, told the Mirror: “They were a lovely family. I am shocked. You don’t expect things like this to happen.”
Talking of Zandile, he said: “She was a beautiful kind woman. She worked in IT in London. He worked in IT as well in London. They associated with everyone else.
“They moved to this house maybe two or three years ago.”
On Tuesday assistant chief constable John Murphy said: “I would ask anyone who may have information about this incident, or who may have heard or seen any suspicious activity in Carnoustie Drive, particularly on Friday and Saturday, to please come forward to police as soon as possible. Any information, no matter how small, could help our investigation.” – H-Metro Reporter/Mirror/The Guardian
Bongani Ndlovu