By Umamah Bakharia

The two suspects accused of kidnapping and murdering Lenasia School teacher, Naadira Vanker, have been found guilty.

Thabo Mambila and Lucky Mshubi appeared in the South Gauteng High Court facing charges of housebreaking, robbery, kidnapping, attempted extortion, murder and defeating the ends of justice.

A search was conducted after Vanker was kidnapped from her home in April last year. After almost a week, police were led by one of the suspects to a shallow grave in a yard of to a shack in Phumlamqashi, Lenasia South where Vanker was buried.

It was alleged that that the suspects entered Vankers home, tied her up and forced a cloth into her mouth to keep silent. They then proceeded to take laptops and cellphones.

In his confession, Mshubi said he kidnapped Vanker with the intention of getting revenge against her husband and he lost he’s job and blamed Vanker’s husband for it. However, he did not have intentions to kill her, he just wanted money.

The court found that Vanker died from gagging while suffocating from the cloth that was forced into her mouth.

Mambila confessed that Mshubi called him the day Vanker was murdered and asked for assistance to complete a job for which he would be paid R150 after the task was completed.

Mambila says he needed the money and therefore did not ask questions.

The matter is expected to be back in court on 18 February for sentencing.