SFISO Nkosi (a South African Police officer) and his fiancé, Phumla Matseke were sentenced to a term of life imprisonment in the Durban High Court last week for the kidnapping and murder of a Bellair woman, Nalin Naidu, in 2014.
The third perpetrator, Gonasagren Naidu, the deceased’s husband, committed suicide while awaiting trial.
“Naidu wanted his wife killed and enlisted the assistance of his co-perpetrators, agreeing to pay them a sum of money in return. The co-perpetrators then sought the help of three more people, namely Gcina Magwaza, Zwelakhe Maphumulo and Maria Sithole,” said Natasha Kara, regional spokesperson for the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
On October 29, the perpetrators set their plan in motion and Naidu, Magwaza and Maphumulo kidnapped the deceased from the Bellair area and drove her to the Shongweni quarry.
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Here, Nkosi, Magwaza and Maphumulo slit her throat and left her for dead.
“Naidu then paid them their money, which they spent on clothing, food and alcohol,” said Kara.
They were arrested shortly after the incident. Magwaza, Maphumulo and Sithole opted to plead guilty and testified in the State’s case against the other accused.
In court, Senior State Advocate, Denardo Macdonald, used their evidence to link the accused and demonstrate their role in the death of the deceased.
Adv Macdonald led a significant amount of cellphone evidence, further implicating them in the crime.
“Each accused was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for kidnapping and life imprisonment for murder,” said Kara.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, Adv Moipone Noko, welcomed the sentence and conviction in this matter.
She said, “I hope this sentence will deter would-be offenders and put the spotlight on violence between spouses. Congratulations to all NPA employees who dealt with the matter.”
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