DURBAN - A pastor who is also a traditional healer, from Inchanga in Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal, has been arrested in connection with the murder of a widow’s son.
The pastor, who is also alleged to be the “boyfriend” of 49-year-old widow Jane Ziningi Nzama, was arrested by police on Monday for allegedly being the mastermind behind the murder of a 20-year-old son, Asanda Nzama.
According to the police, Asanda was found inside a house in the Esikhelekehleni area in Inchanga with gunshot wounds to the head and body. He was declared dead at the scene.
It is alleged that Nzama plotted with her boyfriend and a relative to have Asanda killed in order to claim from insurance.
The boyfriend is the third suspect to be arrested for the murder of Asanda.
Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed that a suspect was arrested by police on Monday.
“A 49-year-old suspect was arrested yesterday in Pietermaritzburg. He will appear in the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court tomorrow,” Gwala said.
On Monday, Nzama made her first appearance at the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to the murder of her son.
Her matter was postponed to December 22, 2021, and she was remanded in custody at Westville Prison.
Nzama is the widow of the late taxi boss Mzophethwe Nzama, who was gunned down last year.
She was arrested last week alongside a 29-year old man but could not appear in court as she was in hospital after alleged attempts to commit suicide, allegedly to evade jail.
Sources close to the matter told the Daily News that the woman was arrested and put into a cell.
However, when the officers checked on her, she was apparently foaming at the mouth and had to be rushed to hospital for medical assistance.
“There are suspicions that she might have drunk pills or something prior to the arrest, to kill herself,” a source said.
She was discharged from hospital over the weekend.
Gwala said a case of murder was being investigated by Inchanga SAPS.
According to the police, the 29-year-old suspect was expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court soon.
Previously, Gwala confirmed that Nzama was under police guard in hospital.
Daily News