2 women, 3 children murdered in KZN: Hefty sentences for axe killers
One of the men sentenced for the murders was a family member of the victims.
Three men who killed five people, including a 85-year-old woman, her daughter, and three children ‘to get money to smoke’ in KwaPata, Imbali on January 16 were handed hefty sentences by the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
The heinous crimes were committed by a family member of the deceased, Sphesihle Xulu, along with his accomplices Philani Shezi and Sthembiso Khoza.
The men appeared in the high court on Friday to hear the fate of their six charges, which included five counts of murder and one of robbery with aggravating circumstances. All three were sentenced to five life sentences for murder and 15 years each for robbery.
The victims included three children, 11-year-old twins Owethu and Okwethu Gumede, along with their younger sister Ziyanda Gumede (nine), their mother Fikile Patricia Gumede (45) and their grandmother Mildred Thokozile Gumede (85).
According to court papers, on the day of the murders, Xulu demanded money from his aunt Patricia Gumede and when she refused, that angered him.
“He exited the house and proceeded to meet [Shezi and Khoza], they conspired to rob and kill Fikile and any other person with her,” the papers read.
During the trial, Thamsanqa Gumede, Xulu’s biological father, and the 85-year-old victim’s son, testified that Xulu confessed to killing his family with the help of two other people.
Gumede testified that he went to visit his son at the police station after he was arrested for the murders on January 18 to ask him where his grandmother’s ID and bank card were to start funeral arrangements.
He said that when he arrived at the police station and spoke to his son, his son started crying inconsolably and repeatedly told him he was sorry. Gumede said his son said he killed his family members with the help of two neighbours. He said he did it because they wanted money to smoke.
Speaking to The Witness outside court, Gumede said the relationship with his son was ruined and irreparable.
“He took away my mother, my sister and nieces from me,” he said.
Nokuphiwa Gumede, who is Xulu’s cousin, said they were happy as justice had finally been served. She also thanked the community members who supported them.
It’s a bittersweet feeling because one of our own is going to spend the rest of his life in prison. I lost family and no matter the number of years they get, it will not bring back my family members
“We are happy though because we did get justice,” said Nokuphiwa.
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