Tshuma pleads guilty to SA firearm, immigration charges

By Staff Reporter

British-Zimbabwean triple-murder suspect Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma has pleaded guilty to firearm and immigration offences in South Africa, paving the way for his separate extradition proceedings to the United Kingdom. Tshuma, 45, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act.

The charges stem from the discovery of an unlicensed 9mm handgun and ammunition when Tshuma was arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg, on July 10 following an international manhunt. The guilty plea was entered as part of a proposed plea and sentence agreement between the state and the defence under Section 105A of South Africa’s Criminal Procedure Act.

However, proceedings to finalise the agreement were postponed to Thursday after the court found that the state’s authorisation for the agreement was outdated. The authorisation had been signed in 2019 by former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi and could not be relied upon for the current proceedings.

The state was ordered to obtain fresh authorisation and comply with the requirements of Section 105A. The National Prosecuting Authority said Tshuma initially entered South Africa legally through OR Tambo International Airport on July 5. His immigration status subsequently changed after British authorities sought his arrest in connection with the three murders. The NPA said he became classified as a prohibited and undesirable person under the Immigration Act and was therefore considered to be in South Africa unlawfully.

Tshuma is wanted in Britain over the deaths of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and their daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five. The three were found dead at their home in Great Denham, Bedfordshire, on July 6. Post-mortem examinations established that they died from blunt-force trauma. British prosecutors subsequently authorised three murder charges against Tshuma.

Tshuma had left Britain on July 4, travelling from London Heathrow to South Africa via Dubai, and arrived at OR Tambo the following day. South African authorities later arrested him in Johannesburg after an international operation involving local police and Interpol. The victims were repatriated to Zimbabwe and buried at Luveve Cemetery in Bulawayo on August 4, following investigations, post-mortem examinations and the necessary repatriation procedures.

The South African firearm and immigration case is separate from the UK murder case. The NPA confirmed last week that it had received the necessary documentation from British authorities to support the extradition proceedings, while the ballistic report relating to the firearm had also been finalised.

Tshuma remains in custody as the two legal processes continue. His guilty plea in South Africa does not amount to an admission of the three murder allegations in Britain. Those charges remain before the UK authorities, with extradition proceedings expected to determine whether Tshuma will be transferred to face them.

Ndodana Tshuma