It was a sombre morning for a group of White City residents who gathered outside the Protea Magistrates court as the two suspects linked to the murder and mutilation of five -year-old Nqobizitha Zulu and six-year-old Tshiamo Rabanye appeared in court on Friday.
ALSO READ: Slain Soweto boys remembered in memorial service
Accused number one, Nqobile Ndlovu (50), the grandmother of Tshiamo Rabanye and her 39-year-old partner, Mthunzi Mzwakhe Zulu face two counts of murder, kidnapping, perjury and defeating the ends of justice.
As the matter was being heard in court, the funeral of the two boys got underway in White City.
Nelisiwe Mashigo, who was among the community members outside the court said, “We are hurt as a community that kids were called in such a horrific way, their faces were grinded and their body parts taken, only to find that it is the grandmother, we are in disbelief.”
On Friday, as the court proceedings kicked off, both accused told the court that they had no intention of obtaining legal representation as they insisted on conducting their own defence.
The court proceedings began with hearing the application of media outlets to televise, photograph and publish the court proceedings, in which the accused pair objected to the application.
Accused number one, Ndlovu cited she wanted the matter to be heard privately without the presence of the media while accused two objected on the basis that he was innocent of any charges and therefore wished for his face not to be publicised.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Mutilated bodies of two boys discovered in Rockville
Magistrate, Tshepiso Maepa who was presiding over the case granted media houses present to cover the proceedings, under strict conditions.
Magistrate Maepa read out the charges to the court and informed the accused that on the charge of murder, it was a schedule six offense, and the accused will need to make a formal bail application before the court.
The pair was asked if they understood the gravity of the charges levelled against them. Both accused told the court they did not understand the charges except for the murder charge and would reconsider their earlier decision and seek representation.
Accused two was therefore represented by a legal aid attorney, while accused one told the court that she would get an attorney.
The court also established that Ndlovu has a previous conviction of assault, which dates back to when she was 19-year-old and got off with a suspended sentence.
Both accused told the court that they plan to apply for bail while the state indicated its intention to oppose the bail application.
ALSO READ: ActionSA offers R50 000 for information about the murder of two boys in Rockville
The matter was postponed to May 5, and the accused will remain in custody until the next court appearance.
Following the court proceedings, Urban News visited the bereaved community where the funeral services of two Soweto boys was being held. The boys were laid to rest at the Olifantsvlei Cemetery.
“We want her to get a harsh sentence just like the crime she has committed. If it was possible we would call for a death sentence because we don’t understand.
“Even if she confesses to whom she was working with, we have felt a deep sense of pain and the children are dead and won’t come back.
“We will only be satisfied if she never comes out,” commented Jabulile Duze, a friend to both families who was at one of the funerals in White City.
