Katlehong family fights for justice for its late daughter

The Hlongwane family is grieving the death of its child, Mbali Hlongwane, while frustrated, as the alleged killer has not been arrested.

According to the family, the police have failed them as weeks have passed without any update even after the funeral of their loved one.

The late Hlongwane was stabbed five times and killed by a fellow student outside the EWC campus, on October 21. The 20-year-old was an IT student and was killed by a classmate after she qualified to write exams for all her modules.

This has led the Ekurhuleni West College (EWC) students, the family and the community to march to Katlehong North SAPS, demanding answers on November 13.

Mandla Hlongwane, the uncle of the victim, said the family was badly affected to a sense that the mother is not coping.

“Her mother is my sister, she is not coping at all. Her older sister, Lindokuhle, who attended the same school as her late sister is not coping either. She was on the scene that day, she saw everything that happened,” he explained.

“When I look at her, I can see she is not okay and she is writing her exams. I don’t know how she is coping, she needs counselling as her mother is receiving counselling,” he added.

He said he was fetched by two of her niece’s classmates when the incident occurred.

“I was sitting at home on October 21. They told me Mbali was injured. We drove to the scene in one of the classmate’s vehicle.

“When we got there, some of her classmates were trying to help her but some of the wounds were big and she was bleeding badly,” he explained.

“The school came with a first-aid kit but when they opened it, it was empty. When asked what happened, a teacher said the child was stabbed by her classmates.

“I asked for the school’s transport so we can rush her to the hospital. They wanted to call an ambulance instead but I told them that we do not have ambulances in Ekurhuleni.”

According to Mandla, when the ambulance finally arrived, it turned out to not be fully equipped. He said they had to stop another ambulance to help, which ultimately took them to the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital.

“When we got there, I was told her chances of survival were 50/50. I could also see how bad the situation was. I saw wounds on her body, two on her left and right chest, one under her left armpit, neck and the last one on her back,” he said.

“After 20 minutes, I was told that she died,” he concluded.

Lindokuhle said if it was up to her, she would leave the school and not take part in the exams because going back there brings back traumatic memories.

She said she has not received any counselling, explaining the school promised to provide it but failed. The school acts as if things are normal and that nothing happened.

“It makes me happy to see that people are here for the march and they want justice as much as we do as a family. Seeing our justice system serve its purpose would put my heart at ease because right now, I am even losing hope,” said Lindokuhle.

The SAPS provincial media liaison officer, Brenda Muridili, told Kathorus MAIL the investigating officer only gives feedback to the family of the victims.

“Investigations are underway. The police are following several leads that we are not going to tell the media,” said Muridili.

The information from the police is conflicting with that of the family, which informed Kathorus MAIL that it is still waiting for updates on the case.

During their march to the station, community and EFF member Wendy Nkosi with others were informed that the police have contacted the family.

Nkosi insisted that the family be called on the spot to confirm. The father of the deceased confirmed that the developments of the case are unknown to the family.