THE Mbombela High Court has sentenced Nonhlanhla Mthunywa (33) for the murder of her mother, Wanter Dlamini (62).
Mthunywa was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment on Monday, 29 January. The sentence comes after Mthunywa entered into a plea agreement with the state.
Judge Henk Roelofse has ordered that count three and seven which are attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice run concurrently.
Dlamini was killed on 5 January after Nonhlanhla invited her to her place where she organised her sister Bathabile Mthunywa (39), Steen Mashakeng (35), Nombuso Ndwandwa (41) and Moses Mosemba, who has since died, to kill Dlamini with the aim of claiming an insurance policy worth R80 000. The policy was taken out in Dlamini's name in 2019.
When Dlamini arrived, she was kidnapped, strangled and gang-raped by Mashakeng and Mosemba, this was while Nonhlanhla and Ndwandwa were holding her down. After killing her, the accused wrapped her body up and hid it in the outside toilet. Bathabile organised transport to move the body. Dlamini's body was found dumped in the bushes a day later.
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The accused were arrested 15 days later after Ndwandwa tried to make a claim at an insurance company. Ndwandwa, Mashakeng and Bathabile Mthunywa were charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, theft, fraud and defeating the ends of justice. The trio had since denied the charges.
The court afforded Mthunywa an opportunity to apologise to her family. An emotional Mthunywa requested the family to forgive her for her wrongdoing.
"I would humble like to apologise for the wrongful deed that I did. We no longer have a mother. I humbly request that you find it in your hearts to forgive me. If I wasn't remorseful, I wouldn't have pleaded guilty hence I decided to come clean and plead guilty to all the charges. I promise not to make the same mistake should I get out of prison. I'm sorry Mark and Basie, please forgive me," she said.
Basie Van Der Merwe, who is also the daughter of the deceased, said the family was satisfied with the sentence.
"She had shown a sign of remorse, and we're grateful for that," she said.
Basie said they hoped the remaining accused would follow suit.
"With the remaining accused in the matter, we believe that all three accused have a strong case to answer. We now have a confession and also a plea statement from accused one who is now sentenced. The evidence we have is strong against the remaining accused," she said.
The defence has since asked Judge Roelofse to recuse himself. The matter was postponed to 18 November for the continuation of trial.
