BOTH men accused of the murders of David (76) and Ann (73) Strauss at their KwaMbonambi home on 18 January, have admitted to their guilt in the brutal slayings.
Appearing in the Pietermaritzburg High Court last week, Ntokozo Mbuyazi (21) and Mpilo Ngema (20) pleaded guilty and made statements under oath before Judge Yvonne Mbatha.
Their statements detailed a harrowing tale of stalking the Strauss couple at their home while hiding in the flower beds, before stabbing both pensioners to death.
The suspects have been charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and the possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
It further emerged in court that the suspects had learned from the couple’s gardener that they kept ‘lots of money’ in a safe inside the house.
Their account however, differs from the original timeline confirmed by police.
Ngema told the court how he and Mbuyazi crawled towards David through the garden at 6am in the morning.
When they were spotted, David ran back into the house attempting to slam the gate shut on Mbuyazi.
‘I stabbed the deceased, I don’t remember how many times,’ said Ngema.
Mbuyazi meanwhile told the court Ann had attempted to flee the home, and on her second escape attempt he had stabbed her numerous times.
While shocking, the statements made by the accused are at odds with evidence on the scene.
Family members pointed out to the Zululand Observer where Ann had been tied to the bed in a spare bedroom, pieces of the bindings having been found on the ground.
The door to the bedroom had also been kicked down, leading the family to believe their mother had locked herself in the room.
Her body was discovered by police on the same bed.
The same rings true for David, the family having seen similar bindings on the ground around a chair in the living room.
According to initial police reports, his body was found in front of the cupboard in the master bedroom where his firearm safe was kept.
The family meanwhile, told the media they were upset they had not been informed when the suspects would be appearing in court.
The trial will continue on 3 May to give investigators time to process the new reports from the suspects.
