R10 000 – that’s the amount Devika Rani Seeripat, 73, was prepared to pay to have her daughter, Ashrika Seeripat, killed.
On July 7 last year, Ashrika, 42, who was unemployed at the time of her death, was found strangled in the bedroom of her home in Kadville Heights, Umzinto.
A few days later, police arrested Seeripat, who ran a crèche from her home; Bongi Mbili, 54, the domestic worker; and Madodandina “Patrick” Mkula, 42, a gardener.
The three are on trial in the High Court, sitting in Scottburgh. Mbili is a State witness. They have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
The matter is being presided over by Judge Jacqui Hendricks.
Testifying in her defence,