Staff Reporter
JOHANNESBURG — Zimbabwean-born British national Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma has pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as contravention of South Africa’s immigration laws.
Tshuma appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where he entered guilty pleas as part of a plea and sentencing agreement with South African authorities.
The 45-year-old was arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg, on July 10 after an international manhunt was launched following the deaths of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, and their two daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, 5, in the United Kingdom.
South African authorities said Tshuma was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition after entering the country while wanted by British authorities.
He also admitted to contravening immigration laws, with prosecutors stating that his status changed after he became a fugitive and that he was regarded as an undesirable person in South Africa.
The guilty plea clears an important hurdle in the case, as South African authorities prepare to proceed with extradition proceedings.
Tshuma is wanted in the United Kingdom in connection with the deaths of his wife and two daughters, who were found dead at their home in Great Denham, near Bedford, in July. British authorities allege that the three died of head injuries.
However, Tshuma has not been convicted of the three alleged murders, and the murder charges will be addressed through the UK legal process.
South African prosecutors have indicated that Tshuma will be extradited to the UK once his local court proceedings have concluded.
The case has attracted considerable attention in Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, with the deaths of the family members prompting an international investigation and manhunt before Tshuma’s arrest in Johannesburg.
His South African case is expected to proceed to sentencing before the extradition process takes its course.
