Nakuphi’s murder, intimidation charge to be combined

THE MAN accused of murdering baby Inganathi Mnyani is due back in court on March 2.

Zukile Nakuphi appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of intimidation.

Seven-month-old Inganathi was killed, allegedly by her mother’s boyfriend, in the early hours of January 18.

A fight had reportedly broken out between her mother, Andisiwe Mnyani, and Nakuphi, who were trying to patch up their relationship after he had been released from prison.

Nakuphi had been released a week earlier after serving two years for shoplifting.

He allegedly became enraged when Inganathi rolled off the bed. He allegedly picked her up and swung her across the room, bashing her body against the walls and ceiling before allegedly flinging her across the room and stepping on her body.

He appeared yesterday on a charge of intimidation for allegedly harassing Mnyani’s mother, Khululwa Ruga, in the days that followed the murder.

Nakuphi had reportedly made threatening phone calls, accusing the family of withholding his ID book and handing it to police.

He also allegedly threatened to burn down the family’s home in Philippi.

Ruga told the Cape Argus at the time that Nakuphi had displayed violent behaviour in the past, breaking her windows and bashing a door in.

Nakuphi was arrested in Gugulethu a week after the murder.

On Thursday, the family laid Inganathi to rest at the Khayelitsha cemetery after a ceremony at the family home in Philippi.

The family told the Cape Argus at the time they were still angry and unable to forgive Nakuphi.

Nakuphi was remanded and is to appear again on March 2 when the intimidation and murder charges will be combined on the same charge sheet.