Pensioner Nompumelelo Zitho wiped away her tears as a medical expert detailed contents of her grandson’s postmortem report at the high court sitting in the Palm Ridge magistrate's court yesterday.
Mzwandile Zitho, 5, was found dead in a tavern in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, on April 15 2020.
The boy, whose naked body had no visible injuries, lived three houses away from the tavern owned by murder accused Pontsho Mohlanka and her boyfriend.
Mohlanka has been charged for the killing of three children: Mzwandile, Simphiwe Mgcina, 6, and Mpho Makondo, 8.
Simphiwe and Mpho were killed five months after Mzwandile.
For almost two years the Zitho family suspected that their child was poisoned as part of a muti ritual killing.
But yesterday, the grieving family heard from a medical professional for the first time what caused Mzwandile’s death.
Forensic medical officer Dr Monyakane Sekobolo ruled out poisoning as the cause of death.
“A toxicology report came back negative on any poisoning. Further investigations on the body led to the conclusion that the cause of death was suffocation. There were abrasions on the face and epicardial haemorrhage and sub-pleural haemorrhage ... they are highly suggestive of suffocation,” said Sekobolo.
Mzwandile’s grandmother sat two rows behind Mohlanka as Sekobolo gave evidence. The forensic expert said tests further suggest that Mzwandile’s mouth and nose were blocked at the same time and this led to his death.
“When one blocks the mouth and nose simultaneously there will be lack of oxygen to the rest of the body. One will then become unconscious. Continued lack of oxygen on the body can lead to death,” explained Sekobolo before a brief adjournment.
The teary-eyed grandmother walked outside court accompanied by a few relatives. “Why did she kill my grandson in such a painful manner?” she asked as relatives comforted her.
Mohlanka and her boyfriend, who is under witness protection, were arrested for Mzwandile’s murder but charges against the couple were provisionally withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.
The boyfriend was released four days after the arrest. Mohlanka remained in custody as police further investigated her citizenship.
Just two days after Mohlanka was released from prison, the bodies of Simphiwe and Mpho were found near the tavern. Simphiwe’s body was found with a handwritten note tied to his arm. The note mentioned five names, including that of Mohlanka’s boyfriend, friends and neighbour Bongani Maduna.
Maduna appeared in court yesterday to testify in the triple murder trial.
While questioning Maduna, prosecutor Gerhard Maritz read parts of the letter. Maritz told Maduna that according to the recovered letter, Simphiwe’s body was supposed to be dumped in Maduna’s yard.
Maduna said he knows the people mentioned in the letter, but he denied any involvement in the killings.
“The people I am mentioned with on that letter are my friends and neighbours. I don’t know why our names were written in that letter. I had nothing to do with the killings,” said Maduna.
Maduna lives a few houses away from the tavern. He told the court that he did not know Simphiwe and Mpho before they were found dead on the street.
“I was shocked when I saw Simphiwe and Mpho lying dead on the street. I want to know who is behind their murder and why they were killed like that,” said Maduna.
Mohlanka has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The trial continues on Friday.
nzimandeb@sowetan.co.za
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