Six life terms for killer of six family members
Roar of joy outside court as blade of justice falls on axe murderer
The community leapt up in a collective roar of joy, but icyveined family axe murderer Nowa Makula, 32, showed no remorse as an Elliotdale regional court magistrate sentenced him to six life terms in jail.
Scores of relatives, genderbased violence activists and political party members erupted in cheers. They ululated and sang outside the court after magistrate Sizakele Sihlahla brought the blade of justice down on Makula for murdering his girlfriend and five children, the youngest being six-monthold Luphumlo Mhlanti.
Among the throng in the public gallery was education MEC Fundile Gade.
Sihlahla said: “This is a worst case of domestic violence. It is nothing short of a massacre.”
Makula sat stony-faced throughout the sentencing — echoing the killer’s remorseless emotional state throughout the slayings, according to the judgment
Makula was questioned as he sat in the police van about to be driven to jail by children’s rights activist Petros Majola.
In a video of his reply, the murderer said: “I am sorry for what I did. I will never do it again. It was not my intention.”
He appeared to be in a state of disassociated shock when he said of his six life terms: “I will see out my sentences because I know what I did was wrong.”
Makula admitted to killing Nomzamo Mhlanti, 42, Azakhiwe, 10, Yibanathi, 7, twins
Wineka and Thoko, 5, and sixmonth-old Luphumlo inside their small shack in Sidabekweni village in Elliotdale in November. The twins and baby Luphumlo were his own children.
Mhlanti’s mother, Nolungile Sikhundwana, who sat in court in the row behind Makula, broke down and wept.
Earlier, there were groans of dismay in the gallery when the power went off, holding up proceedings for two hours.
Upon resumption, Sihlahla said Makula only seemed to be sorry because he had been caught in Qonce, trying to flee the country.
The magistrate said: “It looks like he had no option but to plead guilty. There are quite a number of police stations where he could have surrendered on the way to Qonce. I am convince he is not remorseful.”
He lambasted Makula for mercilessly slaughtering his victims in their sleep, without provocation.
“He killed the people he was supposed to protect, in the comfort of their home.”
Sihlahla said photographs of the bloody scene were terrible to look at.
He said it would only serve to diminish the seriousness of the crimes if the sentences were to run concurrently.
“What is aggravating is that the accused tried to flee after killing the victims for no apparent reason. It seems he did not want to face the consequences. He had no right to take their lives.”
Outside court Sikhundwana broke down into deep sobs.
She recovered to say: “I am happy. The sentences have lessened the pain I have had for the longest time. I had no hope he
I am sorry for what I did. I will never do it again. It was not my intention. I will see out my sentences because I know what I did was wrong
I made a mistake of trusting Nowa because he lived with my child. I ask women not to trust men. What happened to my family has shown a bad picture
would be sentenced this heavily.
“I know my children will not return but at least tonight I will sleep knowing he is paying for his crime.”
She said: “I made a mistake of trusting Nowa because he lived with my child. I ask women not to trust men. What happened to my family has shown a bad picture.
“I thank everyone who has supported my family throughout this difficult time. Nomzamo’s two [surviving] children are learning to come to terms with the loss,” she said.
NPA director of public prosecutions in the Mthatha division, advocate Barry Madolo, said they were satisfied with the verdict.
“It is the most serious crime that we have come across in this region. We are happy with the sentence. That is the sentence he deserves, and to the family we again send our condolences.”
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said: “This is a lesson to those who are hell bent on violating the rights of women and children. The law will always take its course and that is the lesson all men should learn today.”
Gade said: “We will forever be indebted for this particular sentence because it gives clarity to what government has been embarking on in terms of ensuring that femicide and GBV have no space in this country.”
Majola, who had called for a harsh sentence, said men had no reason to kill women and children.
“Whatever situation you find yourself in, you do not have the right to take someone’s life. The sentence restores faith in the justice system and that it is working for the victims,” he said.
Siyamthanda Ndlela, of Indlezana Yezwe Foundation, praised the police and the justice system for a speedy resolution of the case.
“We urge that all other cases be finalised in time just like this one. We welcome the sentence.”