Durban – Two men arrested for the abduction and killing of an albino woman in northern KwaZulu-Natal were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on Thursday.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said that Mandla Mabuza and Lindokuhle Khumalo pleaded guilty to murder in the Vryheid Circuit High Court and were convicted and sentenced.
The two young men, both aged 19, were handed a 20-year jail term by Judge Yvonne Mbatha for their role in the killing of 20-year-old Thandazile Mpunzi.
Relatives had reported her disappearance on August 5, but despite the efforts of police, she could not be found.
More than a week later police arrested Mabuza and Khumalo and Siyabonga Gwala. The three led police to the shallow grave of Mpunzi, who had been chopped up. Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said at the time that some parts of the body were missing.
The three had implicated 65-year-old Bhekukufa Gumede in the murder, and Ramkisson-Kara said the case against Gwala and Gumede was still continuing.
“He (Gumede) was implicated to the murder. It is alleged that he assisted the three suspects to move the body from one point to another place and he also took some parts from the body,” Zwane said.
He described Gumede as an umthandazi, which translates into preacher, priest or pastor, depending on the church.
ANA