Family seek answers on loved one’s death

Kwa-Thema – The Maqai family is reeling in pain as they remain in the dark about the circumstances that led to the death of their loved one.

The One Strong Voice Foundation hosted a candlelight service to honour Dimpho Maqai’s (37) life.

The mood was sombre when family and friends took turns reminiscing about the good times and the love they experienced from Dimpho.

Her lifeless body was found on July 16 in the bedroom she shared with her boyfriend in Tsakani Ext 15.

According to Captain Neldah Sekgobela, the spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni district police, the Tsakane police received a report of an unnatural death at the said address.

“On arrival, they found a 43-year-old man, who is the boyfriend of the deceased. In interviewing him, he mentioned that earlier in the morning, he told his girlfriend that now that he can’t make enough money to sustain them, she should return to her parents’ house in Kwa-Thema.

“The girlfriend did not take it well and responded to her boyfriend, saying it meant he had found a new girlfriend,” explained Sekgobela.

The man alleged that he was sitting on the couch when he heard a gun go off. He claims all his firearms were in the safes, and he had all their keys.

“He rushed to their bedroom and found his girlfriend bleeding, with the firearm next to her.

“He further mentioned how he still did not understand how his girlfriend got hold of the firearm because she did not have a firearm permit or licence,” added Sekgobela.

The first responders noted that the deceased lay on her back with a gunshot wound next to her right ear and another on the left side of her head.

“There was a 9mm pistol next to her right shoulder and two empty cartridge cases next to the bed.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that the firearm found next to the deceased belonged to her boyfriend, and nine more guns with licences and ammunition were found in three safes inside the same bedroom,” said Sekgobela.

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The family claims the SAPS has not given them any information about the circumstances around Dimpho’s death.

“It is so painful, and we have so many questions. We went to the police station the day after her death, and they told us we did not need to open a case because the State had already done that.

“They also told us that the detective leading the case would come to us, but more than 10 days later, they still have not,” said Mapaseka Mabiletsa, Dimpho’s older sister.

Mabiletsa said the mother of three had lived with her boyfriend since December. Lebusa Maqai was the first family member on the scene and said he would never forget what he saw.

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“I never thought I would ever be in a situation like this, especially with a loved one. I kept thinking they didn’t check properly and would respond if I touched or called her. But they didn’t allow me to go into the bedroom because they said it was a crime scene,” he said.

At the vigil, Nobayeni Vilakazi of the Gauteng Community Police Forum shared her testimony about how God saved her from an abusive marriage.

“I don’t have hair on parts of my head because one time my husband beat me with a garden tool. Every weekend, my neighbours knew that at some point, I would be running out of the house with my five children.

“I was admitted to hospital after some of the beatings, but went back to him every time I got discharged,” she said.

Vilakazi said that one day, while she was praying with other women, she realised she would die if she did not leave the father of her children.

“I left with nothing. I didn’t even have a job. But I took my children and found another place for us to live peacefully,” she added.

She said she found a job soon after and never looked back.

“As a woman, you must trust yourself and believe that God will give you strength to provide for your children.”