nonagenarian, 92-year-old woman killed, gogo accused of witchcraft, Nosayinethe Manundu, killed over witchcraft, Eastern Cape, Majuba Village, Sterkspruit

A 92-year-old woman who was accused of witchcraft and murdered has received justice after the accused were found guilty of her death. Photo: Stock Image / Pixabay

Justice for woman, 92, burnt over ‘witchcraft’ as accused found guilty

Following the murder of a 92-year-old woman accused of witchcraft, a number of her relatives have been found guilty of her death.

nonagenarian, 92-year-old woman killed, gogo accused of witchcraft, Nosayinethe Manundu, killed over witchcraft, Eastern Cape, Majuba Village, Sterkspruit

A 92-year-old woman who was accused of witchcraft and murdered has received justice after the accused were found guilty of her death. Photo: Stock Image / Pixabay

A 92-year-old woman was reportedly killed by relatives who accused her of partaking in witchcraft and a judgement in the case has finally been made.

What happened to 92-year-old Nosayinethe Manundu?

Nosayinethe Manundu was reportedly attending a cleansing ceremony after a relative’s funeral in Majuba Village, Sterkspruit in March 2020. Relatives turned on Manundu and assaulted her.

They then drove her to her home before dragging her into a rondavel and setting her alight. Post-mortem results showed that Manundu died from both blunt force trauma and second and third-degree burns.

Who are the accused in the matter?

Mzubongile, Zukhanye, Siyabulela and Mlungisi Manundu along with Sowisa Tyhokolo, Sikhokhele Velamani, Nkosiyoxolo Velamani, Sithembiso Yalwa and Nontsebenzo Yalwa were all charged with arson and murder.

Both Sowisa Tyhokolo and Nontsebenzo Yalwa turned into state witnesses and the charges against them were withdrawn. While Velamani’s trial was separated from the rest of the accused.

Mzubongile, Siyabulela, Nkosiyoxolo, Sithembiso and Mlungisi were found guilty of using witchcraft on the Manundu. The court further found that Sithembiso, Siyabulela, Mlungisi and Mzubongile were guilty of Manundu’s murder. The accused were all acquitted of the charges of arson.

What was the judge’s verdict?

In his judgement, Judge Mbulelo Jolwana applauded the SAPS and shared some stern words for the members of the community, reports TimesLIVE.

“I do not know if the men of Majuba, the elders hid their tails behind their legs when this gruesome crime was evolving in front of their eyes and allowed it to be completed. They, in the process, threw a vulnerable 92-year-old nonagenarian, to the wolves.

“They must do a serious introspection and ensure that unlawful criminal resolution is rescinded or cancelled. They must ensure that the death of Mablangwe (Manundu) does not become their legacy and it is never repeated on anyone else,”

Judge Jolwana said.

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