In an emotional courtroom scene, 52-year-old nurse Enoch Ndou broke down in tears on Friday after the High Court in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, South Africa, found him guilty of murdering seven family members, including a pregnant woman and her unborn baby.
Ndou committed the crime on Christmas Day in 2021 at Jimmy Jones village near Malamulele, allegedly over a dispute concerning a family inheritance. The victims—Mpho Donald Ndou, Ndivhuwo Douglas Ndou, Portia Mabasa, Rendani Winnus Ndou, Wanga Ndou, Ronewa Ndou, and Dakalo Makondo Ndou—were all shot dead in an attack that shocked the community.
Shortly after the killings, Ndou surrendered himself to the police at Thohoyandou Police Station, leading to his formal charges on seven counts of murder. During the trial, Judge Tshidada dismissed his claims of psychological incapacity, stating that he failed to prove he was mentally unfit at the time of the crime.
“The state presented uncontested evidence that proves the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge ruled. “I am compelled to pronounce a guilty verdict against the accused.”
As the judgment was read, Ndou visibly broke down, overcome with emotion.
