The four perpetrators accused of the KwaNobuhle double murder in which two high school female pupils, Sinothando Malinga and Ibanathi Peter, briefly appeared for the second time before the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court today, July 30. Their case was postponed for further investigation and the four accused remain in custody until their next appearance.
UD Express previously reported that the perpetrators showed little to no remorse for their heinous acts, and their second appearance was no different. Upon hearing of the postponement, one of the accused briefly showed relief.
SAPS confirmed that the four perpetrators are Akhululwe Pungulwa (28), Anele Ngalo (27), Siphosethu Gomomo (21) and Zubenathi Dyakumeni (26).
Present at the court for the second appearance of the accused was the mother of the late Ibanathi Peter, Thandile Nyati-Peter, who was disappointed and troubled by the perpetrators’ lack of emotion in the dock. “Today is my first time seeing the perpetrators and I am not okay at all with how these perpetrators looked. In my opinion, they did not show any remorse for what they did; it’s like they are happy and content with what they did.” Although she was disappointed by that, she was slightly heartened by the turnout of KwaNobuhle residents. “It is a tough time, but I am happy to see my community here, our community leader [Thamsanqa Nkevu] and the Molly Blackburn Senior Secondary School pupils. Their presence gave me strength at such a dark time.”
“I am really not okay with the situation. Yes, the presiding magistrate did not let them go free, but my wish is that these perpetrators do not come back into society. I am traumatised just thinking about it. I have other children. After two hours of my children being out of my sight, I immediately question their safety and hope they do not end up like Ibanathi. I am always on high alert now, which is draining my energy,” Nyati-Peter said.
The community leader, Thamsanqa Nkevu, welcomed the postponement as well. “I am glad for the postponement, because this gives more time for the authorities to get all the relevant facts in order for the best possible outcome against these perpetrators.” He added that he wishes the perpetrators get a combined sentence of at least 150 years each for the heinous acts they committed.
Nkevu added, “I hope the state witnesses, who were part of the eight suspects nabbed in connection with the case, also get punished and not released into society because they helped the state. They were not unwilling participants as they only told the truth after being caught, and after they had committed the acts in its entirety. That must not be forgotten.”
The matter was postponed for further investigation and the accused will remain in custody until their next court appearance at the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court, September 1.
