LIMPOPO – The family of the TVET student who was kidnapped from her room on Sunday, June 27, was left speechless after the two men accused of kidnapping and attempted murder were released on bail.
Murendeni Sithada (25), the victim’s former boyfriend, and Azwimpheleli Dzivhani (27) appeared in the Dzanani Magistrate’s Court on July 15, and were each granted bail of R2 000. The case was postponed to September 16 for further investigation.
Sithada and Dzivhani are said to have shown up at the girl’s rented room at Makwarela on June 27, forcing her into the boot of their car and drove off to Mphaila village where they raped her and stabbed with a sharp object.
Thinking that their victim was dead, they then attempted to dump their victim in the bushes nearby, but a witness to the incident alerted the community and the men were cornered. During their ordeal, Sithada managed to escape while Dzivhani was trapped inside the vehicle, which angry residents then set alight.
He was rescued when the police arrived, arrested and charged, and admitted to Siloam Hospital under police guard.
Sithada was arrested on June 29 after his employer handed him over to the police.
The victim’s mother, Olga Davhula, said the family was upset that the suspects had been released on bail and felt let down by the judicial system.
“We expected the suspects to be kept behind bars. There was never even a formal bail hearing to take our concerns into consideration,” she said and referred to threats the family members are facing.
“Do you know what it feels like to meet them in the streets? Something is not right here,” she said.
She said her daughter is now reluctant to return to college as she fears for her life.
The chairperson of the Real Man Foundation, Suprice Nengudza said he agreed that the rights of the perpetrator should not come before those of the victim.
“We are not happy that someone with these kind of charges can just be granted bail of R2 000. We will continue to support the family.”
