A MOURNING Mariannhill mom wants court justice for the man charged with the murder of her daughter.
Ntombizodwa Nzimande from Thornwood, Mariannhill told the Highway Mail that she is not happy with the way the investigating officer has handled this case.
The suspect, who is out on bail, appeared again in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 5 March.
Friends and family left the courtroom fuming as they feel that the justice system is failing them.
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According to Nzimande her daughter, Thandeka Thwala, was assaulted by her boyfriend.
“My daughter was admitted to hospital on November 16 badly beaten. The suspect dropped her off at St Mary’s and I took her to St Augustine’s Hospital where a doctor advised me to open a case with the police.”
Nzimande said she received a call from the suspect after a week apologising for the incident.
“According to him, he just pushed her.”
“I told him that if he was really sorry, he should just hand himself over, which he did. He appeared in court the following day, facing assault charges. He was taken back into custody.”
The heartbroken mother said her daughter spent three three weeks in ICU before she died on Sunday, 8 December while the suspect was due to appear the next day.
“I called the investigating officer and told him that my child has just passed away. When the suspect appeared in court on the 9th, he was now facing a case of murder but to our shock, he was released on R3 000 bail,” she said.
The judge and a prosecutor told the family there is not much evidence they can work on as the investigating officer did not do his job, of gathering evidence properly.
“Not even once did he come to the hospital to take a statement.”
Thwala left behind two children aged eight and 18 months old.
“We feel that the justice system is failing us and what bothers us more is that this case might just be withdrawn.
“This has been a very painful journey and the worst part is that we stay in the same area and I sometimes bump into him and it hurts,” said Nzimande.
Support
KZN DA women’s network leader, Shehana Kajee attended the case to support the family.
Kajee said she had to go and support this family after hearing the struggle they have gone gone through to get justice for their daughter.
“For a mother to have gone through all that is just unacceptable.”
What shocked Kajee more was the suspect being released on just R3 000 bail. “It is such an insult that a person charged with murder can be released on R3 000 bail. We will continue supporting this family until justice is served,” said Kajee.
The suspect is due to appear again in court on Friday, 3 April.
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