ANCYL joins family mourning slain son

A Riverpark family is mourning the loss of one of its members, 29-year-old Bonginkosi Sithole, who was hacked to death on one of the township’s paths in the early morning of 28 November this year.

His uncle, Vusi Makwakwa, said he was found with gaping wounds on his face, throat and buttocks inflicted by either a panga or a knife. “A resident came to inform us of the death at 6am,” said Makwakwa.

“We estimate he was killed after 2am when he was seen by witnesses leaving a nearby tavern in the company of three unknown young men. He was found without shoes and an undisclosed amount of money he had with him when he left home that evening [was also gone].”

The deceased’s mother, Rose Mamanzi, and his aunty Getrude Sithole said he was a quiet and homely person whose brutal killing was barbaric and undeserved. “Unfortunately, like many youths, he was at times seen in the wrong company at places known to be frequented by criminals and drug addicts,” said his mother.

The deceased was an ANCYL member and his death has left his colleagues concerned about crime in the area. “We are tired of this and it’s about time residents took a stand to avoid the league taking it upon themselves to revenge the killings and risk being labelled vigilantes,” said Mush Raletjena, a youth league member. He said several members have been attacked in the area and another was killed not long ago in the township by suspected criminals.

“Residents should not live… in fear. People who are non-locals should learn to embrace the good neighbourliness which residents extend to them,” said Onke Mntonintshi, another youth league member.

Mamanzi urged parents to be actively involved in their children’s lives and discourage them from walking around at night. She also called for active mobilisation against drugs and for street patrols to be implemented.