The murder trial of Durban school principal Khayelihle Dhlomo has revealed disturbing allegations about how his wife, Khanyisile, may have been killed.
In court, investigators testified that eyewitnesses believed a knife was deliberately placed in Khanyisile’s body to make it appear as though she had taken her own life. The knife, usually kept under the mattress on Dhlomo’s side of the bed, was later found plunged into her.
Khanyisile, a teacher, was discovered dead in the couple’s Malvern home on September 14, 2022, where they lived with their three young children. Family members described seeing her body before the knife appeared, raising suspicions that the crime scene had been tampered with. Forensic experts also concluded that her injuries were not self-inflicted.
The court heard that blood traces suggested her body had been moved, further pointing to a cover-up. Investigators alleged the crime was premeditated and carried out with precision.
Dhlomo, arrested in July 2023 after months in hiding, has denied the charges and argued that his poor health is reason enough to grant him bail. He claimed he had been subjected to bad food and inadequate medical treatment while in custody.
However, prosecutors opposed bail, saying Dhlomo had already threatened witnesses, misled police at the crime scene, and did not have a fixed address. They warned that releasing him could endanger the community and undermine the trial.
The magistrate noted the seriousness of the charges, which could lead to life imprisonment if Dhlomo is convicted. Closing arguments in the bail application are expected on September 8.
For Khanyisile’s family, the case is not only about justice for her death but also about ensuring her three children grow up knowing the truth about what happened to their mother.