Murdered grannies remembered in Women’s Month
|Published
Durban — The families of two women who were killed on Women’s Day in uMgababa, are continuing to remember them a year after their bodies were discovered in a shallow grave next to their workplace in uMgababa.
The women, Zanele Mbuso, 62, and Monica Xulu, 70, an owner of a crèche, had been missing for days before their bodies were found.
Ultimately, Thokozani Patrick Mhlongo, who worked as a security guard at the eThembeni crèche which had been owned by Xulu since 2014, was found guilty of the two women’s murders when he appeared at Pietermaritzburg High Court. He pleaded guilty to both murders.
He was represented by legal aid attorney Amanda Hulley. The State was represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mbongeni Mthembu.
Mhlongo testified that his reason for the killings was based on Xulu sharing information with other staff about his personal life which he had confided in her. He said it “infuriated” him.
Dawn Gounden, a family spokesperson and leader of Renegades Search and Rescue that worked with the police to find the women, said the act was “heartbreaking and heinous” and that their murder at their place of employment, a crèche, shocked the community and left loved ones reeling in disbelief.
“The brutal murders of two elderly women had sent shock waves through the community on August 9 last year, leaving a deep scar that continues to cause pain even after justice has been served.
“As the legal system navigated the intricacies of the case and delivered a verdict, the families of the victims grappled with the enduring pain of loss and the ongoing struggle to find solace. Despite the tragedy, the community rallied together in support, showcasing solidarity and compassion in the face of adversity,” Gounden said.
“Processing the pain and coming to terms with the tragedy became a challenging journey for loved ones, marked by moments of sorrow and reflection on the cherished memories shared with the departed,” she said.
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995.
Daily News