The 72-year-old mother of slain actress Ashrika Seeripat has been arrested and charged with her murder. Photo: Shrika Seeripat / Facebook
Mom, 72, of slain actress ARRESTED and charged with her murder
The murder case of Umzinto actress Ashrika Seeripat took a turn after her 72-year-old mother was arrested and charged for her death.
The 72-year-old mother of slain actress Ashrika Seeripat has been arrested and charged with her murder. Photo: Shrika Seeripat / Facebook
Slain Umzinto actress Ashrika Seeripat’s mother has been arrested and charged with her murder.
Seeripat’s domestic worker was initially arrested for her murder
Seeripat’s domestic worker was originally charged with her murder after the 42-year-old actress’ body was found in her home after what appeared to be a robbery. At the time, 53-year-old Bongi Mbili told authorities that a group of men held them up at gunpoint and demanded money.
Seeripat was allegedly suffocated and her body was found on the side of her bed, Mbili was arrested shortly after. While appearing before the Umzinto Magistrate’s Court, Mbili abandoned her bail application.
The actress’ 72-year-old mother was recently arrested
A big twist in the case was revealed by IOL when Ashrika’s 72-year-old mother Devika was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
Devika appeared before the same court as Mbili last week and was later released on bail of R1 000. Just a day after Devika’s arrest, authorities arrested the family’s gardener, 42-year-old Madodandina Mkula. He was also charged with her murder.
Devika allegedly endured years of abuse
Speaking with IOL, a sibling of Ashrika’s spoke about her mother revealing she endured years of verbal, emotional, mental and physical abuse at the hands of the slain actress.
“In our attempts to get to the truth, our mother has been implicated in the murder of Ashrika. While we knew Ashrika struggled with her mental health over the past two decades, we have now learned that we did not truly understand the extent of it.
“Our mother has now revealed and spoken of the years and years of unbearable verbal, emotional, mental and physical abuse our parents were subjected to. Abuse, which only escalated toward her after our father’s passing, and left her living alone with Ashrika in the family home,”
said Seeripat’s unnamed sibling.
Seeripat’s family asks for privacy during this time
Her sibling noted that they do not condone the violent act that was executed resulting in the death of their sibling. The sibling added that they hope that justice is served to all those involved in Seeripat’s murder.
“As we come to terms with the loss of a sibling, as well as the implications of our mother’s involvement, we ask that our privacy is respected during this difficult time,”
they told the publication.
