Dudu Busani

Dudu Busani

Nonkululeko Bazana , 28, is guilty of murder, culpable homicide and arson, the Johannesburg high court ruled yesterday.

Bazana burnt to death her husband's mistress Nomvano Thobigunya, 30, her son Nkululeko, 2, and her sister Noncedile, 49, when she set fire to the shack they were sleeping in.

Bazana pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder but guilty to arson.

Judge Kathleen Satchwell found Bazana guilty of murdering Thobigunya. She was convicted of culpable homicide for the death of Nkululeko and Noncedile.

"I find it hard to believe you did not foresee that Thobigunya might be sleeping inside and that she could burn to death. I cannot convict you for murder for the two other people because the state has failed to prove you knew they were inside and that you had any motive to kill them," said Satchwell.

Satchwell lashed out at Inspector Kevin Fouche and Captain Riaan Scholtz.

"They failed to provide the court with state witnesses. One witness didn't come to court because they said they could not get hold of him because he couldn't speak English or Afrikaans. It's not the witnesses fault the policemen can't speak an African language," she said.

Sentencing will be on April 18.