A 42-year-old woman and her two sons appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates’ Court in connection with the alleged murder of her husband, whose body was discovered lying in a pool of blood at his homestead.
Zanele Magongo (42) of Mvakwelitje, together with Phumlani Mnisi (26) and Kwanda Mnisi (19), both of Manganganeni, appeared before Mbabane Senior Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati after making a confession before Magistrate Qondile Mtetwa.
The trio is facing murder charges.
According to the charge sheet, the offence was allegedly committed on Thursday at Ebuka. It is alleged that the accused, each or all of them acting jointly and in furtherance of a common purpose, wrongfully and unlawfully stabbed Bongani Mnisi several times in the neck and stomach with a short spear.
The injuries are alleged to have been fatal, resulting in his death.
The court heard that the deceased’s body was discovered at Ngcwembe, lying in a pool of blood in his bedroom.
By the time the body was found, it was already in a state of decomposition, suggesting that the deceased had been dead for some time before the matter was reported to the authorities.
It was further revealed that the two sons later surrendered themselves to the police, while their mother was arrested at KaNcesi on Sunday.
When advised of their right to legal representation, the accused informed the court that they intended to instruct a lawyer to represent them.
The Crown applied that the accused be remanded in custody until next Friday, pending committal of the matter to the High Court, citing the seriousness of the charge. The application was not opposed.
The prosecution also made an application in terms of Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act for blood specimens to be taken from Phumlani and Kwanda Mnisi for forensic purposes. The court granted the application.
The accused were further advised that any bail application should be made at the High Court, given the nature of the offence they are facing.
The root cause of the alleged murder is said to have been a family dispute, although the court did not hear full details surrounding the circumstances that led to the fatal incident.
Family members of the deceased expressed shock at the killing, describing the incident as deeply disturbing.
The matter was postponed to February 6, and the accused remain in custody.
