Malvern community urged to be vigilant following murder of a domestic worker

THE Malvern community is on high alert following the recent murder of a domestic worker, Mabusi Mlambo (43), in Kemp Place in Escombe, Malvern on October 26.

The local neighbourhood watch believes that women, who are at home alone during the day, are being targeted by opportunistic criminals. The same modus operandi was carried out as another murder was reported in the area earlier in October.

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According to the communications officer at Malvern SAPS, Sgt Sthembile Kheswa, the homeowner left the premises at about 09:00. Mlambo was said to have been in the laundry room at the house. When the owner returned just over an hour later, she noticed the garage door was slightly ajar and thought it could be another robbery. Power tools were stolen from the garage a few weeks prior to that day’s incident.

The homeowner made her way to the back of the house and found Mlambo’s purse in the yard.

“She then called out for her domestic worker, but could not find her. She noticed the laundry room door, which is outside, was locked. When she unlocked the door, she noticed the domestic worker was lying in a pool of blood,” said Kheswa.

The homeowner, who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons, checked for a pulse and called for an ambulance, but it was too late. Mlambo succumbed to her injuries after she was stabbed multiple times in her chest.

The homeowner claimed the house was ‘ruffled up a bit’, but only a laptop was stolen. She also claimed there were signs that her dogs were poisoned during the incident. She believes that the suspect is not a common thief and was preying on vulnerable women.

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Corne Momberg, of the Moseley Neighbourhood Watch, confirmed there was another incident with a similar modus operandi. The first murder involved a mother who was attacked and killed in her home in Dilkoosh Road, Moseley on October 7.

“At this point, the modus operandi looks similar. However, on behalf of Moseley Neighbourhood Watch, I want to reiterate that Moseley has the lowest crime with regards to policing. We have two dedicated Blue Security vehicles, several cameras in the area and dedicated patrollers. Based on the attacks, we want to urge residents to not let their guard down and remain vigilant at all times,” said Momberg.

He added the neighbourhood watch has taken up security measures to cut back the bushes along the M7 to create more visibility. In the last few months, several domestic workers were attacked and robbed at knifepoint along the stretch of road adjacent to the M7. It is believed the perpetrator is also using the M7 as an entry and exit point.

“The lack of upkeep by the municipality to cut the verges has led to these crimes. Although these two murders have been traumatic and serious, we still have the lowest crime rate and we want to urge the community to join the neighbourhood watch and MCPF to form part of the security initiatives to safeguard our communities,” said Momberg.

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Kheswa said it was heartbreaking to attend a crime scene where a person was murdered, but vowed her team is working around the clock to apprehend the perpetrator(s).

“We promise the family that the investigation will be done properly to make sure whoever did this is sentenced,” said Kheswa.

Lt Col Nokuthula Mthethwa, the station commander at Malvern SAPS, said the police have implemented a new strategic plan to apprehend the perpetrator(s). She urged all victims who were robbed at knife point to come forward and give the police a description of the suspect(s).

“If we work together, we can fight crime,” said Mthethwa. Mlambo is survived by her 16-year-old daughter and other family members.

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