A 54-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal, Elias Delisani Mkhize, has pleaded guilty to the murder of his mother and sister. Mkhize claimed that he believed they had “bewitched” him, leading to his violent act.
The incident occurred on December 20, 2023, in the Luzizi area of Mid-Illovo, within the district of uMgungundlovu.
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During the court proceedings at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court, Mkhize’s attorney, Mzothando Tengwa, represented him. Mkhize admitted to shooting his mother, Mathithi Mkhize, and his sister, Celiwe Mkhize.
He then admitted to decapitating both women and putting their heads into a toilet pit system.
He revealed that he had observed them leaving his home in the early hours of the morning, dressed in black clothing. This sight fueled his suspicion that they were attempting to bewitch him.
In his guilty plea before Judge Phumelele Shoba, Mkhize confessed to following his mother and sister to their parental home, located nearby, armed with an unlicensed firearm. He then shot them both.
“I admit that I suspected that they were at my place to bewitch me and I took my unlicensed firearm and followed them,” he said.
“I found them at my parental home which is not far from my house and shot at them.”
Mkhize said he then took a bush knife that he found in the house and chopped their heads off and concealed it in the toilet pit.
The tragic incident deeply affected the family, particularly Mkhize’s brother, Bongani Mkhize, who shared a victim impact statement with the court.
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Bongani expressed his shock and disbelief, stating that he still couldn’t comprehend the magnitude of the incident. He also questioned why a son would commit such a heinous act against his own mother.
The case now awaits sentencing, which is expected to be delivered by Judge Shoba on Thursday. The court will consider the circumstances surrounding the crime and the impact it has had on the family.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from deeply-held beliefs and the need for mental health support within communities.