‘UK fugitive’ Ndodana Tshuma’s plea agreement proceedings postponed - TimesLIVE

Alleged UK fugitive Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma’s case has been postponed to October 21 for the finalisation of his plea agreement.

When he appeared in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Wednesday, the state told the court it had not finalised the plea agreement.

The triple murder suspect pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and contravention of the Immigration Act by entering South Africa as a fugitive being sought by the UK.

Tshuma, a 45-year-old British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage also known as Mark, is wanted by Bedfordshire police in connection with the murders of his wife, Zandile, 42, and their daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five.

After fleeing the UK on July 4, he was arrested by local police in Kensington, Johannesburg, on July 10. He was allegedly found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm handgun.

Tshuma is also facing extradition proceedings after a request from the UK for the three murders.

The plea and sentence agreement proceedings were previously postponed after the court found the state’s authorisation was invalid.

The court had noted the authorisation required for the state to enter into a plea and sentence agreement with the accused under the Criminal Procedure Act had been signed by former national director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi and dated 2019, but she is no longer in the position and therefore the document could not be relied on for the current proceedings.

The state was directed to obtain a new authorisation from a senior state advocate or higher ranking official, dated in 2026, and to comply with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Act.