Teen murdered and dumped on Empangeni farm identified
Bright young DUT fashion design student was murder victim returning home to visit her family
THE murder victim found naked in a sugar cane plantation on the outskirts of Empangeni last week, has been identified.
She is Nothando Malu (19) of Zidedele Village.
Described by her grief-stricken mother Nokuthula Duma as a ‘bright, ambitious young lady with the world at her feet’, her death sent shock waves through the community when on Thursday last week, sugar cane workers arriving at work early in the morning found her naked, bruised body lying in the morning sun.
She was positively identified when her family visited the Empangeni SAPS to report her as missing.
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Bright future snuffed out
Malu was a first year student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and was on her way home after completing her year-end examination.
‘The last time I spoke to her, was after 3pm on Wednesday. She was on her way to Durban station to take a taxi back to Empangeni.
‘When I realised it was getting late, I phoned her, but there was no answer, and when I tried calling again, her phone was switched off,’ she said.
She could not know that her daughter died sometime that night.
‘In one of our telephonic conversations, she told me she was planning to launch her own clothing label in December this year,’ she said.
Duma also thanked those who alerted the police, saying if they did not do so, they would still be looking for her.
She said she hoped the police would find her daughter’s killers.
‘All I want to see is justice being served,’ she said.
Malu’s funeral service will be held this Saturday, at Siyakhanyisa Primary School in Zidedele Village at 9am.
Empangeni Police Spokesman, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose said a case of murder was opened and no arrest had been made yet.
‘We urge community members, who might have any information regarding this incident, to contact Detective Commander, Colonel Bonga Mdlalose on 082 5570365,’ he said.
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