By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Former police officer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu was found guilty on six counts of murder and several counts of fraud.
Judge Ramarumo Monama handed down the judgment on Friday, where he, in the opening proceedings, likened Ndlovu’s case to the 1932 murder case of Daisy de Melker.
“The reason why I guess there is media attention is that in the last 89 years, this country has not observed similar situations such as your case,” Monama said.
De Melker was a trained nurse who poisoned two husbands with strychnine for their life insurance policies and then also her only son.
Ndlovu was on trial for multiple charges including six counts of murder, four of fraud, defeating the ends of justice, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.
She was accused of plotting to kill her sister and her sister’s five children in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, so that she could cash in on insurance and funeral policy payouts.
Delivering his judgment, Monama found that the state had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt on the murders and rejected Ndlovu’s version of events.
Monama also found Ndlovu guilty of the attempted murder of her mother, Maria Mushwana, as well as defeating the ends of justice.
The former police officer, who was stationed at the Tembisa police station, was also found guilty of fraud after she claimed the life insurance policies from several companies.
However, the judge said the state had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt on the conspiracy charge, which was discharged.
Ndlovu will be remanded in custody until the date of sentencing, which will take place on 5 November.
Meanwhile the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it will be calling for life imprisonment after Ndlovu was found guilty of murder and other charges.
As the NPA, we really need to give credit to the prosecutor, Advocate Riana Williams and the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Keshi Mabunda for the splendid job that they did. In terms of the law, the sentence is life imprisonment. So, as the NPA, we will call for life imprisonment,” said NPA Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.