THE community is still reeling with shock after it was announced on Friday last week that the man accused of murdering Siam Lee, Philani Ntuli, had died.
The sudden announcement was met with disbelief on social media, with many believing the 30-year-old man, who was purported to be a prolific conman, had faked his own death.
However, one of his alleged victims, Lucky Mthembu, said she felt relieved after hearing that the man who had reportedly tormented her for the last three years, had died.
“It was hectic. I could not stay in one place for very long and would keep having to move. He would hack everything and I could not go on social media. I would always watch over my shoulder and lay low. If I went anywhere I would wonder if he would somehow just show up,” said Mthembu, who was a crowned first princess for Miss Teen in 2009.
The 28-year-old had been engaged to Nthuli. However, she ended the relationship after he allegedly tried to kill her, by strangling and kicking her.
Despite obtaining protection orders and laying criminal charges against Ntuli, she said in court documents that he continued to stalk, threaten and harass her.
During Ntuli’s bail hearing last year, the state alleged the Assagay resident deviously managed to obtain her contact details by contacting a restaurant and posing as Mthembu.
She said she was now looking forward to finally continuing with her modelling career, and also hoped to become a motivational speaker.
“I want to tell my story as there are many other girls who go through what I have. My biggest aim is to raise awareness, focusing specifically on the fact that often the victims are blamed when the partner acts out,” she said.
The feeling of relief was shared by a Malvern woman who Ntuli reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint and raped in 2016.
“I am finally sleeping,” this is what she reportedly told Hillcrest private investigator, Brad Nathanson, who arrested Ntuli at his Assagay home 17 January 2018.
Nathanson told the BereaMail on Monday he did not understand why people were so sceptical of Ntuli’s death.
“I am 100 per cent satisfied this was a fitting end. At the end of the day it means that he will not be able to hurt anyone else,” Nathanson said.
ALSO READ: Siam suspect alleges torture, harassment by police
Lee is said to have been Ntuli’s final victim. During court proceedings last year the state alleged that the businessman had kidnapped Lee from her place of employment on Margaret Maytom Avenue, Durban North on 4 January 2018, and kept her captive for two days before he killed her.
It is alleged he then dumped and burned her body at a sugarcane farm in New Handover. On 15 April, Lee would have celebrated her 22nd birthday.
Nthuli’s lawyer, Reial Mahabeer, has not responded to the Berea Mail’s request for comment at the time of publication.
Attempts to get comment from Siam’s mother Carmen Nan Lee have also been unsuccessful.
Before his death, Nthuli’s pre-trial hearing was set to start on 29 July.
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