Ayabonga Mjilo murder case: Plea negotiations take centre stage
Slain Ayabonga Mjilo who was allegedly killed by Mfanafuthi Kunene
Image: Supplied
Plea negotiations are in progress between the State and Mfanafuthi Kunene, a former call center manager. Kunene is accused of kidnapping and killing his former subordinate, Ayabonga Mjilo, and burying her in a shallow grave at his iNanda residence.
On December 28, 2024, Ayabonga was reported missing by her family. Investigations led police to CCTV footage at a restaurant in Umhlanga, which revealed that Ayabonga was seen a little after midnight on 2024 Christmas Day leaving with a man before entering into a silver vehicle.
Further CCTV footage was viewed, and as investigations continued, one of Ayabonga's former colleagues who saw her in the company of Kunene identified him. Kunene was arrested in January 2025.
The murder trial was supposed to start at the Durban High Court on Tuesday morning; however, plea talks resurfaced with state prosecutor advocate Gugu Xulu revealing that they were not going to accept the offer made by the defense on Monday.
Mfanafuthi Kunene is accused of kidnapping and killing Ayabonga Mjilo.
Image: KZN Premier/Supplied
“After consulting with the Director of Public Prosecutions, she was not happy with the plea and explained that I should tell the defence that we cannot accept the plea. However, negotiations can continue. We are not closing that door,” Xulu explained.
Sources close to the case reveal that Kunene wants to change the murder charge to culpable homicide and then plead guilty.
Judge Mluleki Chithi criticised the delay and said a lot of cases in Durban and Pietermaritzburg are not finalised because of such issues.
“There is no reason why negotiations had to be stalled and delayed until now,” he said.
Chithi stood the matter down to allow advocate Musa Chiliza from Legal Aid South Africa to consult with Kunene regarding the counteroffer that the State made. The matter is expected to proceed in the late afternoon, where the court will be told whether Kunene accepts the offer of the State and pleads guilty, or the trial will commence.
Xulu stated that witnesses are present and are ready to testify.