Mirror UK The Independent Office for Police Conduct is examining what action was taken when Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, contacted Bedfordshire Police, before she was bludgeoned to death with Natalie, 15, and Nala, five UK — Police are being probed by a watchdog over contact officers had with a mum shortly before she was murdered, along with her two daughters. The bodies of Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, Natalie, 15, and Nala, 5, were discovered on July 6 after concerns were raised that they had not been seen for several days. They were victims of “blunt force trauma”.
Nothabo’s husband and the children’s father Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage, has been charged with three counts of murder. The 45-year-old, also known as Mark, was arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg, South Africa, after leaving Britain two days before the bodies were discovered in Great Denham, Beds. He was remanded in custody by Johannesburg magistrates court and work has begun to return him to Britain.
Bedfordshire Police confirmed today that officers had previous contact with Zandile. As a result, it referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. An IOPC spokesperson said on Friday: “We have started an independent investigation into contact Bedfordshire Police officers had with Zandile Tshuma and her daughters Natalie and Nala, prior to their tragic deaths in the Great Denham area of Bedfordshire earlier this month.
“On 7 July, we received a mandatory referral from the force relating to contact officers had with the family in June. We also received a voluntary conduct referral concerning a police constable on 8 July. “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Zandile, Natalie and Nala, and all those affected by their deaths.
Our investigation is in its early stages and further updates will be available in due course.” Det Insp Lee Martin, senior investigating officer, said previously: “This case has attracted a huge amount of media coverage and we are aware of international reports circulating which contain some speculation about this case. “With three murder charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, proceedings around this case remain active and we are not able to provide any further detail at this stage. We continue to work with the CPS and international partners as the case progresses.” The South African Police Service …
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