Life behind bars for two cannibalism accused
Judge slams appeal attempt by advocate
THE grisly Estcourt cannibalism case came to an end yesterday when two men were given life sentences for the murder of Zanele Hlatshwayo last year The case gained national and international prominence after Nino Mbatha…
THE grisly Estcourt cannibalism case came to an end yesterday when two men were given life sentences for the murder of Zanele Hlatshwayo last year.
The case gained national and international prominence after Nino Mbatha walked into an Estcourt police station and told officers that he was tired of eating human flesh.
During the trial, the investigating officers described how, on being led by Mbatha, they found human intestines in a bucket and jaws and ears in containers. The officers said the scenes they saw at the house would stay with them for a long time.
Hlatshwayo, 24, was murdered by the men and chopped into pieces for muti purposes.
The matter, which began with four men in the dock, ended when Mbatha and co-accused Lungisani Magubane were given life sentences by Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Peter Olson.
A third accused, Khayelihle Lamula, was acquitted due to a lack of evidence, and the fourth, Sthembiso Sithole, died earlier this year.
Although justice was served, the pain of losing her daughter in such a grisly manner still haunts Philisiwe Hlatshwayo.
“I am happy with the sentence that they got. However, the wounds have not healed. I do not want these people to be part of the community.”
She said she used to make a living by doing odd jobs and when Zanele died, she struggled to bury her and was assisted by a local ward councillor to meet burial costs. After her daughter’s death, her health took a turn for the worse and she was constantly stressed.
These words echoed her victim impact assessment report, which was read out during arguments for sentencing. In the report, she said her family had grieved for about a year as they could not bury Zanele due to ongoing investigations. She said her daughter used to enjoy laughing and loved her family and 2-year-old son.
“When she was wrong about something, she would apologise… I still can’t accept that she is gone. My life changed after the incident,” she said.
Philisiwe Hlatshwayo aid she wanted to know why the men had killed her in such a brutal manner.
Referring to the report, Olson said in sentencing the men: “It is the most meaningful statement I have ever come across.”
He said the men had treated Zanele in a cruel manner and a life sentence was mandatory in this type of case, unless there were mitigating circumstances.
Olson had earlier dismissed arguments by defence attorney Valentine Marion that Magubane had to look after his four children. Olson pointed out that the Social Development Department could intervene in the matter.
After sentencing, advocate Diane Franklin, under instruction from LegalAid SA, asked for leave to appeal.
Judge Olson dismissed the appeal, saying there was little chance of success.
Marion said Magubane’s family would still discuss the matter.
After sentencing, an angry Magubane consulted with his lawyer and became agitated and threateningly ran towards journalists taking pictures. He then swore at the journalists as court orderlies tried to calm him down as he left the courtroom.