EMALAHLENI – The case of Gabisile Shabane (13) and Nkosikhona Ngwenya (15 months), who were kidnapped and brutally murdered for muthi two years ago, is returning to court on 25 May – 12 June this year.
Gabisile, who was living with albinism and light-skinned cousin, Nkosikhona from Hlalanikahle, eMalahleni, were abducted and later found dead. Gabisile’s headless body was found buried in a shallow grave at Cullinan in Gauteng, while Nkosikhona’s body was found in a river next to N4 highway to Pretoria. Their murder was allegedly defined as ritual killings since some of their body parts were missing.
For the Shabane family, 28 January 2018 will remain a painful and sad day that brings horrible memories. Four suspects were arrested in February 2019. Themba Thubane, a whole qualified teacher was arrested together with Thokozani Msibi, a traditional healer, Brilliant Mkhize and Knowledge Mahlangu. They were charged with kidnapping and murder of Gabisile Shabane and Nkosikhona Ngwenya.
Of the four suspects, Themba Thubane pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 55 years in prison while the other three was denied bail and kept in police custody. The trio will now be facing the trial in Middelburg Court in May – June.
Highveld Chronicle visited the Shabane family to see how they are holding up since the tragedy happened. A teary Anna Shabane, Gabisile’s mother said, “My heart is still in pain. I pray to God every day to help me find closure and heal. I will want to see those murderers to rot in jail. I want to thank the community of eMalahleni for the support they are still giving us. The three suspects did not plead guilty, I want the justice to do justice for Gabisile and Nkosikhona,” she said. “Albinism is not a curse but a condition. People living with it should be treated as human beings not “a thing” to be used for muthi,” she said crying.
