Kidnap, rape and murder conviction raises calls for death penalty

A grieving mother from Ingwavuma is among those calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty after the conviction of the man who kidnapped, raped and murdered her son.

Former primary school teacher Zwelakhe Welcome Cele (36) was on Wednesday found guilty by Mtubatuba High Court of the charges relating to the 2019 kidnap, rape and murder of Lwazi Tembe (12) who disappeared in September of that year.

Cele was acquitted on six other counts, namely the kidnap, rape and murder of two other boys, Sizwe Mlambo (12) in 2016 and Sfundo Clifford Nkwanyana (13) in 2018.

Ahead of sentencing on Thursday, the families of the latter two children said they were disappointed that Cele was found not guilty for these crimes, but welcomed his conviction for the crimes against Lwazi.

“We are happy he was convicted because it has been a difficult four years with several delays, some caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Sfundo’s aunt, Bonisiwe Mthembu.

She said there were more questions than answers, as Cele opted to remain silent during the trial and not testify. Lwazi’s mother, Pretty Tembe echoed this sentiment.

Tembe said she suspects Cele was not acting alone and had opted to remain silent during the trial because he was protecting people he had been working with when carrying out the crimes.

She said, in light of the horrific injuries Lwazi suffered according to the post-mortem report, she wants to know where his missing body parts were taken and for what purpose.

“I wish I could get a one-on-one with him so he can answer the many questions I have,” she said.

Lwazi Tembe went missing on 30 September 2019 after having been contacted by Cele, asking that they meet.

Lwazi left home on that day to meet Cele at his home.

On 29 October 2019, the boy’s body was dug up from a shallow grave, which Cele had pointed out to the police after his arrest.

The boy’s mouth was covered with sticky tape, and his neck and hands were bound with rope.

Pretty Tembe, her sister and Bonisiwe Mthembu called for the reinstatement of the death penalty.

See next week’s ZO Monday edition for the full story, including sentencing.

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