The family of Zandile Nothabo Khumalo has released a statement following the postponement of court proceedings in South Africa.
The bodies of Zandile and her two daughters were discovered by police at their home in Great Denham on 7 July.
Her husband, 45-year-old Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, was arrested in Johannesburg on Friday, 10 July on suspicion of their murder.
Read: Man arrested in South Africa over Great Denham murders
He is charged with possession of an illegal firearm.
Tshuma was due to appear in court in Johannesburg yesterday (Thursday), but, according to a report on the South African news site, The Citizen, the matter was postponed to 8 September “for a possible plea agreement”.
The report said: “Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed that Tshuma will be extradited to the UK once all the paperwork has been finalised.
The extradition hearing has been postponed until 10 September.
In a statement issued on behalf of Zandile Nothabo Khumalo, the family expressed their disappointment at the delays.
“The Khumalo and Magonya families, while disappointed at the further postponement, place their trust in the full administration of justice,” read the statement.
“We fully respect the South African judicial process and recognise that all parties must be afforded the opportunity to follow the procedures required by law.
“At the same time, each postponement is difficult for our family, as it extends our wait for answers about what happened to Nothabo, Natalie and Nala.
“As another school year approaches in England, our thoughts are particularly with the lives and futures that Nothabo, Natalie and Nala should have been living.
“Nala should have been starting Year 1 next week. She was a highly intelligent little girl who was excited about starting “big school” and had her whole future ahead of her.
“Natalie should have been preparing for the next stage of her education and looking ahead to sitting her GCSEs. She had completed her Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, an achievement of which she was immensely proud.
“It is especially poignant for our family that South Africa, a country Natalie was due to visit this summer as part of a school trip, has now become part of the legal process surrounding her death.”
Read: Family thanks Great Denham community after triple murder
Heartbroken
The families say they continue to mourn “three deeply loved lives and the futures they should have had.”
“We remain hopeful that the legal processes in South Africa will continue to move forward in accordance with the law and without avoidable delay.
“We are grateful to all those involved in ensuring that due process is followed.
“Our family remains deeply heartbroken, and we will continue to seek answers, accountability and justice for Nothabo, Natalie and Nala while respecting the legal processes now underway.”
