Tshuma says he cannot remember signing plea deal
Ndodana Tshuma, accused of murdering his wife and two daughters in the UK, told the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday that he cannot recall pleading guilty. His lawyer asked for a specialist medical assessment, and the state opposed it.
Tshuma is 46. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and to contravening the Immigration Act. He said in court that he does not remember signing a plea and sentence agreement. One report said he blamed sleep deprivation.
The state said there is no evidence that Tshuma lacked the mental capacity to understand the proceedings. It argued that nothing justifies a state-ordered mental health assessment. The state asked that the plea and sentence agreement be finalised.
Tshuma is accused of killing his wife and two daughters in Bedford, Bedfordshire, in July. He faces three counts of murder in the UK. He is accused of entering South Africa illegally days later, and police arrested him in Kensington, east of Johannesburg, on 10 July.
The UK Crown Prosecution Service applied for his extradition. The matter returns to court on 10 November.
Key facts
- Who
- Ndodana Tshuma (Zimbabwean-born accused, 46, who had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of…); Nothabo Zandile Tshuma (wife, allegedly murdered in Bedford, UK, in July); Natalie Tshuma (daughter, allegedly murdered in Bedford, UK, in July); Nala Tshuma (daughter, allegedly murdered in Bedford, UK, in July)
- What
- At his Johannesburg magistrate's court appearance, Tshuma's lawyer requested a specialist medical assessment after Tshuma said he could not recall pleading guilty or signing the plea agreement. The state opposed the request and has asked that the matter proceed towards finalising the plea and sentence agreement. The matter returns to court on November 10.
- When
- 29 October 2026
- Where
- Johannesburg, Bedford, Bedfordshire
- Status
- Reported