‘She would not have been able to scream’

A FORENSIC expert testified and gave details of the murder of Nosicelo Tsipa, a 35-year-old mother who was strangled to death allegedly by her husband, Babsy Ntamehlo.

Ntamehlo, 42, is charged with the murder of Tsipa who had filed for a protection order against him..

Ntamehlo was arrested after Tsipa’s

partially burnt body was found in a shallow grave by the Mossel River, metres away from her home in Fisantekraal, on September 8, 2020.

Forensic expert Dr Yasmeen Abdhool testified that a bone deep in Tsipa’s neck was broken, which indicated that strong force was applied. She said the force was applied by hand because there was no ligature around her neck. According to her observation it took three to four minutes for Tsipa to die.

When questioned by Judge Daniel Thulare, Abdhool said someone in Tsipa’s position would not have been able to scream for help.

“The application of that force in that manner would take approximately between three and four minutes before a person becomes unconscious and ultimately dies,” she said.

The judge asked: “Are you able to comment on the nature and scope of the pain of a person in that position, when strangled in the manner you observed?”

Abdhool responded: “There aren’t much nerves in that area to cause any pain, and it’s a very quick process. There would be pain, but I can’t comment on the amount of pain.”

She confirmed that Tsipa’s body was burnt after she was killed.

Tsipa’s family said her death could have been prevented if the protection order was followed up by police.