By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA– The Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court was left in shock upon hearing that murder-accused Thembi Nkosi Wally Mkhwanazi (31), from Riverside, not only stabbed his wife in the head with a knife but also attacked her repeatedly with a table fork before allegedly killing her and leaving her body in the bathtub of their home before fleeing.
This was revealed by the investigating officer, Constable Detective Maseko, who took the stand during Mkhwanazi’s bail application on Monday, 01 July, to oppose his release.
Maseko told the court that the accused had personally confessed to her that he first beat the deceased with multiple punches during a fight, though he did not reveal the reason behind the altercation.
Opposing the accused’s release on bail, Maseko submitted that she feared for the safety of the deceased’s 23-year-old son. She also noted that Mkhwanazi had lied about a pending criminal case related to driving under the influence of alcohol and showed no signs of remorse.
“He is the one who informed the police of his whereabouts after the incident and admitted to taking Mapaseka’s life. That alone—violating someone’s right to live—is a serious matter. As we speak, he is refusing to hand over the deceased’s cellphone, which I believe is due to fear of what we may find in it,” said Maseko.
She further testified that her investigation revealed that Mapaseka had attempted to escape and hide in the bathroom, but Mkhwanazi caught her, stabbed her in the head, and then forced her into a bathtub filled with water.
However, Mkhwanazi’s legal representative dismissed the claims, stating that his client had no pending cases or previous convictions.
“I put it to you that the pending case you are referring to was struck off the court roll,” the defence argued.
In an affidavit marked as Exhibit A and read on Mkhwanazi’s behalf, he stated that he is living with a disability and requested to be released on bail to take care of his parents’ home.
Family spokesperson Mamara Mokoena said the family is still awaiting the release of Mapaseka’s remains so they can bury her.
Mokoena pleaded with the court to hand down a harsh sentence to the person found guilty of murdering her niece.
“We would have wished for the death penalty if it were still constitutional, but now we want a life sentence,” said Mokoena.
The case is expected to return to court on Tuesday, 08 July, for the closing arguments from both the state and the defence.
