Alleged wife killer Yibanathi MacGyver Ndema, accused of murdering his wife in 2019 and burying her remains under the bath in their home, where the remains were discovered this week, made his first court appearance in Butterworth on Wednesday.
Ndema, 43, showed no emotion in the dock following the gruesome discovery and exhumation of the remains of his wife, Noluvuyo Nonkwelo-Ndema, at their Vulindlela village home near Butterworth on Monday afternoon.
Ndema, who was present when the body was exhumed by police and was arrested later that day, reported his wife missing on July 3 2019, two days after she disappeared.
In court, the soft-spoken Ndema appeared calm while he chatted to court officials.
Following a tip-off, police stormed into Ndema’s house on Monday and found the body of Nonkwelo-Ndema buried under the bath.
The couple had been married for 12 years. Her family claimed the union had been toxic from the start.
Ndema has yet to plead.
State prosecutor Masixole Mamve said Ndema faced two schedule 6 charges — premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice.
“He planned and killed his wife, and after that reported her as missing, while he knew that he had killed her and buried her body. He misled the state and wasted its resources,” Mamve said.
“The state vehemently opposes bail. This is a schedule 6 offence and he has to prove beyond reasonable doubt if any exceptional circumstances or the interest of justice compels him to be released on bail.”
Ndema initially told court he would represent himself.
However, magistrate Lundi Qangule warned him that he faced a very serious offence.
“If convicted, you face the possibility of having a life sentence imposed for the main charge of murder. Therefore, I am not allowing you to represent yourself,” Qangule said.
He advised him to either hire a private lawyer or apply for Legal Aid.
Ndema then elected to be represented by Legal Aid.
The prosecutor said there were still outstanding investigations, including a post-mortem and DNA test results.
Because of Covid-19 regulations, only family members were allowed in court.
The victim’s father, Mpendulo Nonkwelo, and his other daughter, Nontyatyambo Nonkwelo, 28, attended the hearing.
Speaking to DispatchLIVE after court adjourned, Nonkwelo said: “I was angered at seeing this cruel man in court. The murder of our daughter has devastated us, especially the fact that she was found buried at their own house.
“He will now be getting free meals and free medication, all from the state, while we continue to suffer.
“My wife and I and the deceased’s siblings are all traumatised. We all need professional counselling.
“As the head of the family, I am trying to be brave, but I am devastated.
“I even cry at night when nobody sees me,” Nonkwelo said.
The case was postponed to September 10 for a formal bail application.
DispatchLIVE
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