Will the Senzo Meyiwa murder case ever be solved?

As the Easter holidays approach and despite another recent statement issued by Police Minister Brig Bheki Cele that the police were working hard to solve the five-year-old Senzo Meyiwa murder case, there is a public perception that the case may never be solved.

The lack of action by the country’s police to vigorously pursue Meyiwa’s killer or killers until they’re cornered, arrested and convicted for murder has dampened the public’s confidence in the justice system. It has also eroded whatever faith and confidence the public had left in the police.

Sadly, this disturbing view on crime and the justice system in our beloved country is also shared by a few good and honest police officers, who feel aggrieved by the way law and order are being compromised.

Scores of local residents randomly approached by Kathorus MAIL for their comment on the fifth anniversary of the murder of the former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper believe the case was deliberately botched to protect certain people.

And the more one tries to reach out with a different viewpoint that such cases often take time and are too complicated, many people believe the Senzo Meyiwa murder case could remain a bloody stain on the lapels of the SAPS.

“What else could one attribute to the lack of progress in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case, despite everything else that the public has been told and promised by three successive police ministers in the highest office of the SAPS?” asked a resident.

They all acknowledged that it was never a secret who were present on the day Senzo was killed. They just can’t understand why the police are unable to simply get their hands on the culprit or culprits.

The whole affair is also wrecking the nerves of the young Vosloorus man who was initially wrongfully arrested for killing Meyiwa but was later released by the police due to lack of evidence.

Now the police have to deal with paying the young man millions of rand for dragging his name through the mud. Had the police investigated properly? This, of course, was the opinion of the presiding magistrate before he withdrew the murder charges against the accused.

Let all of us once again pray and hope that this time, as Easter approaches, Cele will make good on his promise to the nation to reveal the murderer or murderers behind Meyiwa’s death.

May the soul of Mme Sarah Kodisang rest in peace

The story of Mme Sarah Kodisang is one of those tragic phenomena that happen too frequently in many communities, regardless of race or religion. Those who have not been following it will note that Mme Kodisang died six years ago. Police believe that the elderly woman, who died in a raging fire that consumed her home, was murdered. Her murder case remains a cold one as one of the police’s suspects and a key witness to what happened that night has been missing ever since.

Keneilwe Joyce Pule was the girlfriend of Kodisang’s son, Richard Nkosi, and spent the evening with Kodisang and her toddler, a child she had with Richard. However, when a fire erupted and emergency services reached the scene where Kodisang had burnt to death, Keneilwe was gone.

The story of Mme Kodisang’s death has sparked a number of rumours in the community and some believe that Keneilwe was responsible for her death. These rumours have become a mythical tale told to young brides, dissuading them from disrespecting or acting violently towards elders.

Meanwhile, the investigative side of things has not progressed in the last six years. We hope that this issue will once again spur the detectives at the Zonkizizwe SAPS to once again take up their batons and focus on finding Keneilwe Joyce Pule. Once the circumstances of Mme Kodisang’s death have been clarified, the person responsible for her death will account to a court of law to what really happened to Mme Kodisang. Only then will the hearts, souls and minds of those affected have peace.

The topic of violence and abuse against the elderly is placed in the spotlight when scenarios such as this one are discussed. Just like women and children, the aged are also among the most vulnerable in society when it comes to domestic abuse. We read and watch more stories on the media about how the aged are abused, molested and even robbed of their pension money by the very people in their families who are supposed to care and look after them.

It’s Rand Show time once again and those of you who wish to be part of all the fun and excitement at this year’s show should get in line and head for Nasrec on April 19 to April 28.