The British man wanted in the United Kingdom for the alleged murder of his wife and two daughters has had his South African firearm case postponed after claiming he cannot remember signing a plea agreement.

The Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday postponed the case against Ndodana Tshuma (46) to 10 November for the finalisation of plea proceedings.

Tshuma’s defence attorney requested a specialist assessment after his client indicated he could not recall pleading guilty to firearm and ammunition charges or signing the plea and sentence agreement with the State.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) opposed halting the proceedings based on Tshuma’s claimed inability to recall the plea process. The State argued there was no evidence before the court showing a lack of mental capacity that would warrant invoking section 77(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The section deals with an accused person’s capacity to understand court proceedings and provides for an assessment where applicable legal requirements are met.

The State requested that the matter proceed towards finalising the plea and sentence agreement. Tshuma had previously entered into an agreement with the State in terms of section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act, in which he pleaded guilty to charges relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as contravening the Immigration Act.

The separate extradition proceedings against Tshuma have been postponed to 5 November.

Alleged triple murder in Bedford

According to the extradition request, Tshuma is wanted in the UK on three counts of murder.

It is alleged that in early July in Bedford, Bedfordshire, he murdered his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma (42), and their two daughters, Natalie (15) and Nala (5).

The victims were found dead at their home on Carnoustie Drive in Great Denham, near Bedford, on 7 July.

An inquest at Ampthill Coroner’s Court on 28 July heard that Nothabo Zandile Tshuma died from head injuries, while her daughters died from blunt force head injuries.

Departure and arrest

Tshuma, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage, is believed to have left the UK from London Heathrow Airport on 4 July after the murders.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised three charges of murder against him on 10 July. On the same day, he was arrested by the South African Police Service and Interpol officials in Kensington, Johannesburg, following an international search.

Officers found him in possession of an unlicensed 9mm firearm and ammunition at the time of his arrest.

He first appeared before a magistrate in Johannesburg on 13 July regarding both the extradition request from the UK and local charges.

On 8 September, Tshuma pleaded guilty in the South African court to charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, and an immigration offence for entering South Africa while a fugitive. He has remained in custody since his arrest.

The NPA said it remains ready to finalise both the domestic criminal case and the extradition proceedings and will continue to ensure that the matters proceed in accordance with the law.

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