Senzo Simamane (left) with his mother Nomkhosi Simamane and her sister Zantombi all relatives of murdered mother and daughter Smangele Simamane and Sbongakonke Mthembu. The two were allegedly killed cut into pieces and body parts dumped at KwaDabeka in a suitcase. Bongani Mbatha: African News Agency /ANA
Durban — A Newlands West mother and her daughter will spend their second Christmas behind bars for the alleged murder of their neighbour and her daughter in 2020.
Smangele Simamane and her daughter Sbongakonke Mthembu, 12, were found stuffed in a suitcase that was dumped on Lwandle Drive in KwaDabeka, Durban.
On Tuesday, Slindile Pamela Zamisa and her daughter Andile Zamisa, 23, as well as a teenager appeared in the Durban High Court on charges of murder. The trial dates were set for April to May next year.
Slindile and Andile were visibly disappointed by the long adjournment. Andile cried while returning to the court holding cells. Both were denied bail in September last year.
In April, Zamisa’s stepdaughter Nomfundo Truelove Ngcobo, pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg High Court to Simamane’s murder. Ngcobo was sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
In her plea she had said the motive for the killing was that she believed that Simamane was part of a group of people who were responsible for her father’s death through witchcraft.
In May last year, the Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced Nicholas Sithembiso Lamula, 41, who was Zamisa’s boyfriend, to six years’ imprisonment for his role in the murders.
According to his plea, his girlfriend managed to lure Simamane and her daughter to a house in Durban where she blamed them for a relative’s death.
Acting Judge S Khan pronounced the matter trial ready, adding that the State and defence would discuss how the matter was going to proceed in terms of witnesses to be called.
Judge Khan said should there be a problem with the teenager having legal representation due to funds, this would be a prejudice to the State and the other accused.
The judge advised her that she could apply for legal aid if funding was a problem. The teenager is out on bail.
Simamane’s aunt, Zantombi Cele, said that she was relieved the trial dates had been set and there was progress in the matter.
“I have noticed the accused’s attitude has become more serious. They seem regretful because the trial has been set, unlike the previous monthly adjournments. Previously the accused would pitch up to court embracing and chatting jovially to each other,” Cele said.
Setting of the trial date had given her hope. Once it is over she hoped that the accused were convicted of the alleged murders.
“I hope they are sentenced to life, that they are locked up and the key thrown into the depths of the ocean.
“These people have left us with an open wound. When you try to sleep you can’t because we still have unanswered questions, such as what was the cause, and whether the issue may have been solved through dialogue?”
Daily News