HAZYVIEW – A 20-year-old man alleged to be a serial killer who was giving
residents of Mkhuhlu sleepless nights, has been remanded in custody after he
made his second appearance for bail application on Monday.
Community members
said they will try by all means that he doesn’t get bail as they indicated that
he’s not fit to be in society.
The case of the suspect attracted many
residents, both local and surrounding areas as it’s estimated that more than 300
community members were picketing outside the court, opposing his bail
application and an estimated 35 residents were allowed inside the court on his
first appearance last week. Even on Monday they came in numbers.
His arrest
came after he was handed over by his niece to the local police station where he
personally confessed his wrong doings.
A local resident, Mr Sthembele Ndlovu
said: “This man deserves to rot in jail. Such people who behave like monsters,
are not fit to be in the society. We want our mothers and sisters to feel free
as we claim that we are living in a free country. Even though he admitted his
wrong-doings, it’s very difficult to trust such a person. There’s a saying that
says: “Imfene ayilahli lukhobo lwayo“ ( It’s difficult for a person to abandon
his/her bad habits ).
Another community member, Ms Elsabel Mashile said:
“Enough is enough, goverment needs to take serious measures concerning such
incidents. I believe that if they give him the death penalty, it will send a
clear message to other criminals out there who are doing the same thing.”
The
man is accused of killing four women in the local area which includes two
elderly people, Ms Anna Honyeni (75) and Petasi Mandlazi (82) who were found
hacked to death in their house after their bodies were discovered by a
neighbour. While the residents were still shocked, another two horrible
incidents occurred in the same area, which is allegedly linked to the suspect
where a nurse who was the head of Calcutta clinic, Ms Msesi Tibane, was raped
and throttled, her head shattered with a hammer and her house set alight.
In
the other incident, a 16-year-old girl’s body was found abandoned in the
street.
According to police information, it has been discovered that the
suspect pretended to accompany the girl to her parents’ house from a local
tavern and on their way, he allegedly raped her and smashed her head with a
brick.
The provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thulani Ntobela, condemned such
acts as he said: “We really do not know what drove this young man to commit such
terrifying, senseless and abhorrent acts. However, I want to extend my words of
appreciation to the family of the suspect. We will await for the law to take its
course.“
Mpumalanga residents are not the only ones that are experiencing
such shocking incidents where women are killed brutally. In Diepsloot, Gauteng,
two children were raped and killed. The alleged suspects have been apprehended
by the police and they have already appeared in court.
The national
chairperson of the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi, had
this to say regarding the shocking incidents: “It is with great sadness that we
experience yet another rape and murder. It should be noted that this happens at
the time when the CGE has taken measures to ensure that there is public
awareness through our Public Education and Outreach programmes that are geared
towards raising awareness on matters of gender based violence in our
society.
“I would like to encourage stakeholders with specific interest in
this matter, to work together in order to root out the scourge of gender-based
violence in our society,” she said.
Shozi further reiterated that in accordance with section 54 of Sexual Offences Amendment Act 32 of 2007, there is an obligation to report acts of sexual offences against children, women and persons who are mentally disabled. Failure to report this is considered an offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
-
-
-
-
