By Admore Mbonda
Pretoria-In a chilling case that has shocked the nation, the Pretoria High Court has sentenced Ncumisa Selani to three life terms for the murders of her two boyfriends and her 17-year-old son.
The heinous acts took place between 2016 and 2018, with a series of tragic events that culminated in a shocking revelation.
Selani’s troubles began when she discovered that her then-boyfriend, Michael Changisa from Malawi, had infected her with HIV.
In a desperate plea for help, she contacted her other boyfriend, Michael Phiri from Zimbabwe, asking him to “eliminate” Changisa. Phiri complied, killing Changisa and burying him in the yard of Selani’s home.
In 2017, Phiri moved in with Selani and her two sons, aged 17 and 10. However, their relationship quickly turned abusive.
In a harrowing turn of events, both Selani and her eldest son killed Phiri, burying him atop Changisa’s grave in the yard.
By 2018, the situation worsened as Selani’s 17-year-old son became heavily involved in drugs, using his addiction to blackmail his mother for money.
Fearing exposure of their dark past, Selani made the unthinkable decision to kill her son and buried him over Phiri’s body.
The chilling saga took a turn in 2020 when Selani’s 14-year-old son fell ill. During a visit to a traditional healer, the boy revealed the grim secret of the three murders, believing they were linked to his health issues.
Alarmed, the healer reported the confessions to the police, leading to Selani’s arrest later that year.
Today, after a lengthy investigation and trial, the Pretoria High Court delivered its verdict, sentencing Selani to three life terms for her crimes. The case has raised questions about the cycles of violence and abuse that can lead individuals to commit unspeakable acts.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these events, many are left to ponder the complexities of mental health, domestic violence, and the tragic consequences of a life spiraling out of control.
The court’s decision serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of violence and the urgent need for support systems for those affected by such tragedies.
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