MPUMALANGA – Bhuti Khuli Khumalo (48) was convicted by the Nelspruit Regional Court on Thursday, 12 May 2022 for murder and unlawful possession of firearm as well as ammunition. The conviction follows the incident which happened in the early hours of 16 December 2015 at Clau-Clau, Kabokweni in Mpumalanga.
The accused had an argument with his girlfriend and later went to her home where he shot and killed the girlfriend’s mother in front of her and her siblings. He then fled the scene. The case was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Nelspruit for further investigation.
On 16 February 2016, a manhunt was conducted. The accused was traced and arrested at Kabokweni by the Hawks’ team assisted by Nelspruit Crime Intelligence. The firearm he used to kill the deceased was recovered in his house at Zwelisha Trust.
He was charged and taken to court where he was granted bail. During 2019, Khumalo absconded court and his bail was revoked. He was later traced and arrested while trying to flee to Mozambique. He was kept in custody throughout the trial until his conviction yesterday. The case was postponed to 20 June 2022 for sentencing.
Source: South African Police Service