FOLLOW UP : One of the suspects pleaded guilty to Shabane killings
Awareness campaigns were held; dialogue as well as marches to make people aware of the daily dangers that people with albinism had to endure
January 20 will always be the sad reminder to the wide community of eMalahleni, the province, the country and even to the international community.
The report about the kidnapping of the Shabane children caught the attention of the world. 13-year-old Gabasile Shabane and her nephew Nkosikhona Welcome Ngwenya who was 15 months were kidnapped from their home in Hlalanikahle in the still of the night.
The disappearance of the pair made the police to have sleepless nights searching for them and the suspects.
The four suspects were later arrested and appeared in court for kidnapping and murder and other charges of the two children.
The bodies of the two children were later found, Gabasile was found in a shallow grave in Cullinan in Gauteng and Nkosikhone’s body was found in a river along the N4 Highway to Pretoria.
The Shabane family had hoped to find closure for the matter as they have been going through severe pain for all these months.
Community members supported them and rally behind them throughout the court cases and even the local government, provincial government and political parties showed their support.
Awareness campaigns were held; dialogue as well as marches to make people aware of the daily dangers that people with albinism had to endure.
Television series’ were made and books have also been written about people with albinism.
The story of Xolani Mkhize, also a person with albinism whose grave was dug up, was also highlighted.
It takes a whole village to raise a child and a lesson learnt from the incident reminded community members to rally and support each other, especially people with albinism.
The four appeared at Middelburg Court on Monday, August 19 and according to court reports Themba Thubane pleaded guilty to all the seven charges against him and the other three, Thokozani Msibi, Knowledge Mhlanga and Briliant Mkhize pleaded not guilty.
The fifth accused Mfanasibili Gamedze is still held in Swaziland.
The three are to stand trial from May 25 to June 12 next year.
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