A man is facing trial for the alleged brutal murder of his own grandmother in Pinetown, South Africa. Thabo Nzimande, 32, is accused of stabbing Beatrice de Lange multiple times before decapitating her and using her head as a football. He was apprehended with bloodstained clothing the day after the 80-year-old woman was discovered slain in her residence. The legal proceedings have experienced delays due to the withdrawal of the defense attorney assigned through Legal Aid.
During the trial, the prosecution rejected the defense’s plea, leading to the commencement of the court proceedings. Ziningi Myaka, the victim’s daughter, recounted the circumstances preceding her mother’s tragic demise. She revealed that Nzimande, her nephew, had a history of resistance to authority and outbursts of anger, particularly after a counseling session at a rehabilitation center.
The victim had been a pillar of support for her grandson, providing him with clothes and financing his education. The family disclosed that disagreements had arisen over a contentious drug test result. Nzimande reportedly suffered from hallucinations, memory lapses, and auditory hallucinations, receiving treatment for psychosis.
Mrs. Myaka testified that she had initially given Nzimande the benefit of the doubt, attributing his behavior to various factors. She expressed regret for not recognizing her mother’s distress signals earlier and detailed her efforts to assist Nzimande, including offering him tasks around the house. She also mentioned her sister’s attempt to address the alleged incident with their grandmother.
Under questioning, Mrs. Myaka clarified her decision to provide a subsequent statement to law enforcement months after the incident, explaining that the process of comprehending the tragedy had taken time. She reflected on her attempts to support Nzimande’s future aspirations, including his romantic interests.
In a previous court appearance, Nzimande expressed a desire to plead guilty to the charges. However, the trial was adjourned to allow for further consultation between Nzimande and his legal counsel, Patrick Mkhumbuzi. Subsequently, Mkhumbuzi withdrew from representing Nzimande due to conflicting instructions from the defendant, leading to the continuation of the trial without legal counsel.