A man convicted of raping and killing a woman in an incident that occurred in December 2023 has been sentenced to 46 years in prison.
Nkosinathi Ndala (41), was arrested with her three friends, Sphamandla Mkhulise (24), Thulani Bhengu (24) and Talent Mbongeni Ntanzi (21).
They were accused of murdering Ms. Nonhlakanipho Buthelezi (23), who they said took her from a dance club in Chesterville, the Classic Lounge. It is said that they asked to give him a ride in the car to take him and his friend home.
The car that had them is said to have continued to take the deceased and his friend home, until it stopped on the N2 road towards Kwa Dukuza, where the deceased and his friend were said to have been beaten and raped.
The friend of the deceased managed to escape, and thus survived. The deceased, who lived in Manzimtoti, is said to have finished raping her, they took her body and threw it under the bridge. He was found the next day after his friend showed the scene to the police. Earlier they applied for bail but the court rejected them.
Over time, the other suspects confessed to the crime and explained everything that happened, the court decided to sentence them to three years because they confessed and gave evidence to the court about everything that happened.
Even so, Ndala was still denying the crime, saying that he was being accused of killing meat that he did not eat. Last week the fish was drowned, he pleaded guilty.
On Friday, the court sentenced him to 46 years in prison. He was facing charges of rape, murder and obstruction of justice. Earlier it was revealed that the deceased’s mother, Mrs. Nomusa Xulu, is in a bad condition and has never recovered since the incident.
The relative who spoke toof this country, Mr. Philani Nzuza, said that they are happy that justice has finally been done, and they are punishing all those who played a role in the killing of Nonhlakanipho.
He highly commended the court for doing everything possible, ensuring that this case is concluded properly.
”We are very happy that finally all those involved in this case have been punished. This means a lot to all of us as a family. Even though Nonhlakanipho will not return to the world, at least we know that those who killed him have been punished rather than talking about the fact that the arrested were freed,” he said.