A man is standing trial for the brutal murder of his grandmother, whom he allegedly decapitated and used her head as a football. Thabo Nzimande, 32, is accused of the murder of Beatrice de Lange in Pinetown, South Africa, in June 2024. He reportedly stabbed the woman multiple times before beheading her, as disclosed in court in Durban.
Following the gruesome act, Nzimande was said to have kicked the decapitated head around like a football. He was apprehended the day after the 80-year-old victim was found dead in her residence, wearing bloodstained clothes. The legal proceedings encountered delays when the Legal Aid attorney representing the defendant terminated their professional relationship.
During the trial, Patrick Mkhumbuzi informed the high court judge that the state rejected the plea presented by the defense. Ziningi Myaka, the daughter of the deceased, recounted the events leading up to her mother’s tragic demise.
She revealed that Nzimande, her nephew, had a contentious relationship with her mother, who had been supporting him financially and emotionally. The family disclosed that disagreements arose, including one over a disputed drug test result. Nzimande reportedly suffered from mental health issues but had received treatment for psychosis.
Mrs. Myaka described how she initially trusted Nzimande despite warning signs, only later realizing the gravity of the situation. She mentioned attempting to provide him with opportunities for a better future, including offering to pay lobola for a girl he liked. Nzimande had expressed a desire to plead guilty to the murder in a prior court appearance.
However, the trial was adjourned for further consultation between Nzimande and his legal representative, Mkhumbuzi. Subsequently, Mkhumbuzi withdrew from the case due to conflicting instructions from the defendant. The trial is ongoing as the legal proceedings continue.