The SANDF reservist Lwanda Zungu who is accused of killing his wife in January this year told the Pinetown Regional Court that he was protecting himself. This was revealed by his counsel advocate Muzi Mzelemu during the trial on Tuesday.

Zungu allegedly shot his wife Tania Zungu six times in their Pinetown home while his mother-in-law Gwen Msane and their two children were in the house.

Msane was shocked when Mzelemu told the court that Zungu had been protecting himself.

“It is shocking that the person who killed my child now says he was protecting himself. Does he mean that the gun was first held by my child? This affects my testimony as someone who was in the house on the day of the incident,” she said.

Msane said the evidence that the court wants, which includes pictures of the crime scene, would reveal the truth. She said what Zungu is telling the court is shocking because there was no noise which indicated that there was a quarrel between the couple.

SANDF reservist Lwanda Mxolisi Zungu with his wife whom he allegedly shot and killed Tania Msane-Zungu. Picture: Supplied

She said Zungu and his counsel are just playing games because the truth would be revealed that her daughter did not fight but she was just killed.

Earlier this year the court learned that the relationship between the couple, who had been married for years had gone sour. The couple had two children together and Zungu has another child with someone else. After the incident Zungu handed himself to the police a few days later, accompanied by his lawyer.

When he was applying for bail so that he could go and take care of his children and open a business it was denied by the Pinetown Magistrates Court. The court said Zungu knew all the witnesses, to protect them he would not be granted bail.

The trial is set to continue on November, 25 and 26.

Sunday Tribune

Simphiwe Ngubane

Murder accused SANDF reservist says he was protecting himself