By a Correspondent
Ndodana Mkhayisi Tshuma, the Zimbabwean man wanted in the United Kingdom in connection with the deaths of his wife and two daughters, is prepared to be extradited to Britain to answer the allegations against him, his lawyer has said.
Tshuma made his first appearance before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday after being arrested by South African authorities last week.
His lawyer, Chrispen Machingura, said Tshuma will not oppose extradition and wants to return to the UK to present his version of events.
“He wants to go and give his side of the story in the UK. He is not objecting to being repatriated to the UK,” Machingura said.
“Since he is agreeing to go back to the UK, it will make the extradition process much easier.”
British authorities are seeking Tshuma in connection with the deaths of his wife, Nothabo Tshuma, 42, and their daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five. The three were found dead at the family’s home near Bedford.
Besides the extradition proceedings, Tshuma is also facing a South African charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Machingura said the court was told that Tshuma was allegedly found with a 9mm pistol and ammunition, which investigators believe he intended to use to take his own life.
“The magistrate explained that a 9mm firearm is regarded as a very dangerous weapon and that a first-time offender convicted on such a charge can face up to 15 years in prison,” Machingura said.
He said Tshuma was not required to enter a plea on Monday and that the case had been postponed to July 22 while ballistic examinations are conducted.
“We have not pleaded. We are still waiting for ballistic tests to determine whether the firearm was discharged. That could have an impact on the sentence,” he said.
“The tests can also establish when the bullets were loaded.”
Machingura said Tshuma also appeared separately in the extradition matter, with the defence awaiting the formal arrest warrant and extradition documents from British authorities.
“We are waiting to be furnished with the warrant of arrest from the UK as well as the extradition papers,” he said.
He added that the South African firearms case could potentially be resolved before Tshuma is transferred to Britain.
“If we negotiate well, Tshuma might receive a suspended sentence and then be repatriated to the UK to answer the charges relating to the deaths of his wife and two children,” he said.
