The woman, who left residents of KaMkhweli in a state of shock and disbelief after she allegedly brutally killed a six-year-old child by hacking him with a bushknife, made her first appearance before the Siteki Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Mavis Philile Gama (28) of Ngcina is accused of killing the child and hacking his nine-year-old brother, who managed to make a miraculous escape with a gaping wound in the head and ran into a neighbouring homestead.
Gama faces charges of murder and attempted murder. She is alleged to have unlawfully and intentionally killed the six-year-old boy by hacking him with a bushknife in the neck.
The second charge states that Gama hacked the nine-year-old boy with a bushknife in the head.
The nine-year-old managed to slip away from her grip and raised an alarm.
The incident happened in broad daylight at a Khumalo homestead at KaMkhweli.
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Gama appeared before Principal Magistrate Musa Nxumalo.
According to police statements, the woman was in a relationship with the father of the two minor brothers. She is alleged to have visited the man’s homestead and demanded money, as they also share a seven-month-old baby.
It is said their relationship was on the rocks, as Gama was reportedly violent.
Upon her arrival at the homestead, the two brothers reported that their father was not at home.
The man had gone to a nearby police station to report Gama for her violent conduct. It was during that time that Gama attacked the two children and hacked them with the bushknife which she had brought along.
The nine-year-old boy was saved by neighbours who responded promptly to his loud screams as he was running away from the blood-thirsty woman.
During her appearance before the court, Gama was seen sharing light moments with a relative.
She was brought to the court by four female police officers.
Prosecutor Celumusa Dlamini filed an application to have the accused remanded into custody pending her committal to the High Court.
In the meantime, the court ordered that she would make further remand appearances at Big Bend Magistrate’s Court.
