A 38-year-old man, Sthembiso Nkosinathi Mthimkhulu, has been sentenced to six consecutive life terms in prison for the brutal killings of six of his relatives.
The verdict was handed down on December 12, 2024, by the Pietermaritzburg High Court in South Africa. The murders occurred in February 2021 in the Nkanini area of Eshowe, following a deeply personal and tragic chain of events.
Mthimkhulu’s rampage began after the death of one of his relatives. He believed that his uncle had used witchcraft to cause the death and, driven by anger and suspicion, Mthimkhulu plotted to kill him.
On February 20, 2021, he drove to his uncle’s home and found his uncle surrounded by family members. Without warning, Mthimkhulu opened fire, killing six people, including his uncle and two young children, aged eight and ten.
After the attack, Mthimkhulu fled the scene, but police tracked his car to Greytown, where he had gone to see a traditional healer. He was arrested shortly thereafter.
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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) provided powerful testimony during the trial.
Advocate Mbongeni Chamane presented the eyewitness account of a survivor, along with Victim Impact Statements that were deeply moving.
One of the victims’ grandchildren shared an emotional drawing, showing herself smiling before the tragedy and crying after it.
The other grandchild spoke about how the grandparents were like parents to her, following the death of her own parents at a young age.
She described the trauma the family has endured, living in constant fear and anxiety since the murders.
In addition to the six life sentences, Mthimkhulu was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA praised the efforts of the prosecution and police, emphasizing that such strict sentences serve as a strong message in the fight against crime.
This conviction brings some closure to a family torn apart by violence and serves as a reminder of the deep trauma caused by such senseless acts.