Uncle given four life terms for killing kids

A MAN convicted of slaying four of his sister’s children and slicing off their left ears has been sentenced to four life terms.

Ben Zimele Mbhele, 32, had pleaded guilty following his arrest three weeks ago.

In September, the bodies of the four children, aged between four and 12 years, were found at their homestead near Ncukeni on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

Three of the bloodied bodies were found inside the home while the fourth had been dragged into the garden.

The jarring hallmark of the massacre was the haphazard removal of the left ear of each child.

Police made a breakthrough in the case last month with the arrest of their uncle‚ Mbhele‚ and his friend‚ Sibongiseni Nyawose, 48.

Charges against Nyawose were later withdrawn.

The South Coast Herald reported last month that a family spokesman had said that Mbhele confessed to the killings.

He initially told them that the children were haunting him and that it was a satanic act. However‚ they later found out that insurance policies had been taken out on the children.

KwaZulu-Natal acting police commissioner Bheki Langa welcomed the sentence.

“This sentence will also serve as a warning to other criminals who think they will get away after committing crimes,” he said.

“We hope this will bring closure to the family.” –TimesLIVE