A young woman was found strangled to death in Ivory Park on 10 October.
Ivory Park Police Station spokesperson, Captain Bernard Matimulane said, “Initial information suggests that the victim left her friend’s house on 9 October to go to her house. It is not known where she went to between the time she left her friend’s place and the time she was found.
“She had been strangled and left naked from the waist down, leading to suspicions that she may have been raped as well. A case of murder has been registered with the Ivory Park police, and the detectives are doing all they possibly can to get to the bottom of what had happened and [find out] who the responsible perpetrators are.”
The victim has been identified as 24-year-old Ayabonga Vellem.
Matimulane appealed to members of the public who had information regarding the murder to come forward.
Vuyo Duva, Vellem’s sister, expressed shock and disappointment at her death. She explained that Vellem left her child at home to go visit her friend on
9 October at around 3pm. “Then when we realised that it was getting late and she still had not returned, we went to her friend around 9pm in the evening, but did not find her, she said she had just left,” she explained.
“Later the next morning we found out that her body was found in Ivory Park. She never mentioned anything about anyone harassing her or having being troubled by anyone.
“We feel terrible about her passing because our sister was a very loving person, and loved her child, she was respectful and got along with everyone.”
The station’s Brigadier David Ngcobo said the victim’s family deserved to know what happened to their loved one.
Ngcobo said,”We are calling on anyone with information to tip us off by calling the Ivory Park police on
011 990 9600 or 08600 10111. Confidentiality is guaranteed.”
