Double life sentence for KZN man who killed grandmother and great-aunt over witchcraft claims
The Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced Nkosiyethu Makhunga to two life terms for the brutal killings of his grandmother and great-aunt in Ingwavuma.
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The Pietermaritzburg High Court has sentenced 37-year-old Nkosiyethu Exon Makhunga to two life terms and an additional 13 years in prison for the brutal murder of his grandmother and great-aunt in Ingwavuma, KwaZulu-Natal.
Makhunga pleaded guilty under Section 112 to murdering the two elderly women, his paternal grandmother, 86-year-old Nomhlangano Mngomezulu, and her 79-year-old sister, Hlalaphi Jane Mngomezulu, in February 2024.
He also admitted to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Makhunga visited a traditional healer (inyanga) with his brother on February 20, 2024.
The healer allegedly told him that the two women were bewitching him.
That evening, after drinking alcohol, he claimed he saw something outside that "confirmed" what the inyanga had said. He then changed into an overall, armed himself with a bush-knife, and took his brother’s firearm.
“He kicked down the door and found them sitting together. He shot Hlalaphi and then hacked her to death with the bush-knife. He then hacked her sister to death,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
After the killings, Makhunga fled to Eswatini, where he was arrested the next day. The National Prosecuting Authority's International Cooperation Component, led by Advocates Deneshree Naicker and Naveen Sewparsat, swiftly facilitated a formal extradition request.
Signed by KZN’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Elaine Harrison, the request was transmitted through diplomatic channels.
Following a court hearing in Eswatini, the extradition was approved.
“The Eswatini Prime Minister confirmed the Magistrate’s ruling and issued an order to surrender Makhunga to South Africa,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
He was handed over to Interpol South Africa and re-arrested upon arrival.
In court, State Advocate Pretty-Girl Thobile Ntsele submitted a Victim Impact Statement facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sthembile Cebekhulu. A family member who compiled the statement described the trauma inflicted by the crime.
“The incident has traumatised his entire family, and they are devastated by the loss of their two elders. He said that while Makhunga was still at large, the family lived in fear,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
The Court imposed life sentences for both murders, along with 10 years for the firearm offence and three years for ammunition possession. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective term of life imprisonment.
“This case illustrates the effectiveness of processes within the NPA to extradite fugitives who have sought to hide outside SA,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
“It further benchmarks the strong diplomatic relationship and commitment between the Kingdom of Eswatini and SA in executing their obligations under the Treaty to ensure that fugitives are brought to book for the offences they have committed in the respective countries.”
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