By Nokunceda Magagula
The alleged murderer Vusi Mncina, who gunned down five unarmed women, aimed his shots on killer spots in the human body.
On Tuesday Mncina made his first appearance at the Lobamba Magistrate’s court before Magistrate Temantimandze Shongwe. His wife was present in court to lend a hand of support. Mncina’s charge sheet states that he is facing four charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder. One the first count, the charge sheet reads that on October 28, 2023, at Goje township in Ezulwini in the Hhohho region, Mncina unlawfully with intent to kill, shot with a gun Nonhlanhla Thwala on the right the right breast and the left side of the back.
Count 2 states that on the aforementioned date using a gun, Mncina unlawfully and intentionally killed Lungile Shongwe by shooting her on the right side of the stomach and right side of the chest above the breast and therefore committing murder.
The third count that Mncina is facing states that on the same day and in the same area Mncina unlawfully killed Fikile Shongwe by shooting her with a gun on the right breast and on the right arm. Count four states that the accused person wrongfully and unlawfully killed Khulile Shongwe by shooting her with a gun on right cheek under the eye thus committing murder.
The fifth count of attempted murder mentions that the Deputy Sherriff wrongfully and unlawfully and intentionally shot Thuli Mkhwanazi with a gun on the chest causing Mkhwanazi to nearly die.
In court Mncina’s legal rights were explained, and he informed the court that for now he will be legally representing himself.
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The Crown council applied for permission for the accused blood samples to be taken for further investigation and Mncina did not oppose the application. Magistrate Shongwe granted the application, further ruling that Mncina shall remain in custody until November 10, 2023, pending his committal to the High Court.
Mncina was also advised to move his bail application at the High Court. Mncina official court appearance comes after he went to the Mbabane Magistrate’s court to record his confession statement with a Judicial officer on Monday.
The alleged murderer left the country in complete shock and awe after he shot five women on Sunday Morning at Goje Township in Ezulwini. One of the women killed is said to have been romantically linked with Mncina.
The gruesome act has left groups advocating against Gender Based Violence voicing their concerns, stating that gender-based killing seems to be fashionable these days. Data collected by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) reveals that in 2018 alone more than 11 000 cases of gender- based violence were reported and 72 per cent were females.
