Stepmother, accomplice get life for girl's murder

A MAN and a woman were found guilty of murder, kidnapping, and breaking into a house and were given life sentences. The two killed the woman's stepdaughter and tried to murder her mother-in-law.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI [e-mail]

Provincial spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident occurred on May 5, 2023, when the female accused, Zanele Nhleko, accompanied by her male accomplice, visited her 75-year-old motherin-law at night with the intent to kill her for unknown reasons.

"They broke a window to gain entry into the house and proceeded to strangle the elderly woman with a rope until she lost consciousness."

The court heard that during the attack, the victim's 12-year-old granddaughter woke up and recognised Nhleko, her stepmother. Realising her grandmother was no longer breathing, the child screamed for help. Fearing exposure, the two suspects forcibly abducted the girl, gagged her, and drove away with her in their vehicle.