‘Boyfriend’ believed to be murderer of medical intern in court
The body of 24-year-old Shongile Pretty Nkwashu was discovered in her flat at the doctor’s residence.
LIMPOPO – Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba was one of those in attendance as the 25-year-old boyfriend, charged with the murder of Shongile Pretty Nkwashu from Dzumeri in Giyani, appeared in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on 22 January.
His case has been postponed to 31 January.
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Tuesday, 21 January 09:00
LIMPOPO – Shongile Pretty Nkwashu from Dzumeri in Giyani, was one of the interns who had just completed her studies and started work as a medical intern at the Mankweng Hospital on 2 January. Her body was discovered in her flat at the doctor’s residence on Sunday, 19 January.
Police in Mankweng arrested a 25-year-old suspect on Monday, 20 January in connection with the murder. Hospital management was alerted to a bad smell coming out of one of the rooms and upon closer inspection, one of the rooms was allegedly found locked from the outside. The police were then called and on arrival, the door was then broken down. The deceased was found lying on her bed and in the early stages of decomposition.
Read more: ‘Mysterious’ death of medical intern in Limpopo
The police commenced with investigations and the suspect, who is believed to be the deceased’s boyfriend, was traced and arrested in Giyani.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba has commended the members for their quick response and speedy arrest of the suspect. The Premier, Chupu Mathabatha also commended the police for their work and asked MECs Dickson Masemola of Community Safety, Dr Phophi Ramathuba of Health and Nkakareng Rakgoale of Social Development, to ensure that their presence continues to be felt.
“We cannot keep on burying young people like these every weekend,” he said as he called for communities and civil structure to assist in these cases and giving the police early warnings.
Masemola sent his condolences to the deceased’s family and urged the police to ensure that every detail is discovered in the case so that justice can be served.
“We as a province have had several such bad incidents and we must stop at nothing to send the strongest possible message through this case, to potential perpetrators out there,” Masemola added.
The motive behind this killing is unknown at this stage and police investigations are continuing.
The suspect will appear in Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 22 Janaury.
