By Thokozani Mazibuko
Principal Magistrate David Khumalo at the Manzini Magistrates Court granted an extradition order for 36-year-old Nkosiyethu Exon Makhunga, a South African man who was arrested for allegedly killing his two grandmothers.
Makhunga is accused of using a shotgun and a bush knife to shoot and hack his grandmothers, respectively, after suspecting that they were practising witchcraft and had bewitched him.
Makhunga has decided to go through the extradition process voluntarily. He initially chose not to have a lawyer, but later consented to return to his homeland, the Republic of South Africa, to face charges under Article 9 of the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Extradition.
“I have voluntarily agreed to the extradition process and wish to return to the Republic of South Africa to face the charges against me.
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I have been informed that the extradition process can be simplified under Article 9 of the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Extradition (SADC Protocol), which has been explained to me,” stated the consent application filed by Principal Crown Counsel Macebo Nxumalo on behalf of Makhunga in court.
“I confirm that I have agreed to my extradition to the Republic of South Africa on charges in a free and voluntary manner, without any undue influence.
I confirm that this affidavit has been interpreted to me, and I admit and confirm the correctness of its contents,” he said.
The presiding magistrate reviewed the application and ensured that Makhunga understood its contents before endorsing it and granting the extradition order.
However, the court ordered that Makhunga must be detained until his formal surrender to the Republic of South Africa.
He further mentioned that the documents will be surrendered to Prime Minister Russel Mmiso Dlamini’s office for his consideration and official extradition and surrender as that aspect falls under his office.
Meanwhile, Makhungo was charged with two counts of murder, which he committed on February 20, 2024, in the Dinabanye area, Republic of South Africa, where he allegedly shot and killed two of his grandmothers after suspecting that they were bewitching him.
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After allegedly committing this heinous crime, Makhunga of Ngwavuma, Republic of South Africa is said to have then fled to Eswatini, where he was arrested by the country’s law enforcers.
On the first count, the accused person is accused of unlawfully and intentionally killing Nomhlangano Dothiya Mngomezulu, thus committing the crime.
On the second count, he is accused of unlawfully and intentionally killing Janny Ilalaphi Mngomezulu, thus committing the same crime.
Elaine Harrison, the Director of Public Prosecution at the Kwazulu Natal Division of the High Court of South Africa, stated that on February 20, 2024, both the deceased, Nomhlangano and Janny, aged 78 and 85 respectively, were living together at their residence in the Dinabanye area of Ingwavuma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
She also mentioned that Makhunga, who is the accused person, resided in the same area and was the grandson of both deceased.
“The accused believed that the two deceased were practising witchcraft, and were bewitching him. As a result, he decided to kill them,” he said.
Harrisson said on the night of February 20, 2024, Makhunga armed with a shotgun, approached Nomhlangano and Janny at their home, shouting and screaming in the yard and fired shots at both of them.
“The 78- year-old deceased was shot by the accused. At this stage, the second deceased did not sustain any injuries.
The accused then left the home of the deceased and proceeded towards the home of his uncle, which was within the same premises,” he said.
Harrisson mentioned that the door of his uncle’s homestead was open and Makhunga stood at the doorway and threatened to shoot him.
He said the uncle had heard the gunshots before Makhunga arrived at his premises and heard a voice insulting and shouting at people.
“He recognised this voice as belonging to the accused,” he said.
Harrisson said Makhunga then left his uncle’s homestead and he (uncle) decided to follow him and noticed that he had a shotgun.
“The uncle rushed to the deceased premises and found that the 78-year-old deceased was shot. The second disease advised the uncle to run away as the accused also wanted to kill him,” he said.
Harrisson mentioned that Makhunga’s uncle contacted the police the same evening.
He said the next morning, police officials arrived and he took the police to the deceased’s home.
“Both deceased were found dead inside the home. The 78-year-old deceased had a gunshot wound and a cut across her neck.
The second deceased had a chop wound on her face and her head. The accused on the same evening of the murders made confessions to several witnesses including his mother who noticed that he was armed with a bush knife,” he said.
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According to Harrisson, the shotgun and a bush knife were found and have been recovered from the crime scene.
Additionally, spent cartridges were also found and all of these items have been sent for forensic analysis.
After committing the crime, the suspect fled from the Ingwavuma area. However, on February 22nd, 2024, the suspect’s mother notified the police that her child was arrested in the Kingdom of Eswatini for illegally being in the country.
