SECUNDA – Residents of eMbalenhle expressed outrage over the murder of Ms Nozi Sibiya (54) during the court appearance of the alleged murdere, Mr Kiran Ramraj.
The courtroom was packed to capacity.
Wearing a striped cream, white and brown jersey, the accused walked into court with his head bowed.
He looked down throughout the proceedings.
Ms J Naidoo, the magistrate, postponed the case until Thursday, 20 November for bail application.
She reprimanded the people in the court gallery when there was muttering after she had postponed the case.
Police found the naked body of Ms Sibiya in Mr Ramraj’s garden flat in Umzinto Street, Extension 22, Secunda on 6 November.
They were alerted when a fire erupted in the flat at about 11am.
Neighbours desperately tried to extinguish the fire with hose pipes, but the gates to the yard were locked.
The tenant of the house on the same yard was notified and she rushed to the scene.
She unlocked the gates and arranged for more hose pipes.
Mr Ramraj was arrested on Friday, 7 November at 2am near Sasol Garage in Secunda.
Sadness and grieve was etched on the faces of Ms Sibiya’s family.
Her first-born son, Mr Sabelo Sibiya, was sobbing and said the family is going through a tough time and lots of pain.
“I still cannot believe that my mother is dead.
“She woke up full of energy and went to work as on any normal day, but she never returned home.
“We are stuck, because she was the breadwinner.
“Our father is also dead and we are now orphans.
“We believe the law will take its course though nothing will ever bring our mother back.
“We want the accused to be sentenced and it is our wish that he is not granted bail.”
Mr Sibiya said the family will miss their mother for her hard work and love for the family.
He said his mother was not only responsible for them, but also for his grandparents who are living in Newcastle.
Mr Joseph Mhlongo, spokesman for the residents, said the residents are united in support of the family and will try to oppose the bail application of the accused.
“A person like him does not deserve to get a bail.
“We are not passing any judgement, we are only saying he should be in custody until the matter is dealt with.
“We expect more people to come on Thursday.”
Ms Sibiya was buried on Saturday, 15 November at the eMbalenhle Cemetery and leaves behind her three children.
