A kidnapped mother of two was found dead inside a toilet in Tsholomnqa. Residents were led to her naked body on Tuesday afternoon by a 16-year-old who allegedly told his mother that the woman’s spirit was haunting him.
The teen was later arrested and charged with her murder.
East London police said Nomnyama Velani, 47, was kidnapped in Lasmesi village by three knife-wielding men on Saturday night while she was walking home with her partner from a traditional ceremony.
The woman’s unidentified partner was stabbed in the shoulder and he fled, leaving Velani behind with the suspects. She was found in the toilet of a homestead in the village on Tuesday afternoon.
The police’s Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said three suspects aged 16, 21 and 27 were arrested on Tuesday.
Village chairman Bonisile Dyani said he had reported the abduction to police on Saturday night.
“On Sunday I convened a meeting that more than 100 residents attended and they subsequently assisted in searching for the deceased.
“We searched all over our forests but could not find her,” said Dyani, adding that the search was called off at sunset.
Residents met again on Tuesday morning for another search.
“During the meeting, a woman approached me and told me that her son was involved in the disappearance. She said her son was not sleeping at night because the woman’s spirit was troubling him,” said Dyani.
He said he informed the police, who then accompanied him to search for the young man.
“I found him in another village sleeping on his aunt’s bed and he started confessing.
“He led us to the body and pointed out the other two,” said Dyani.
Surprisingly, some of the three were among those who had helped search for the woman on Monday.
Village headman Boyana Caphuka said Dyani looked after her 84-year-old mother, Nontofani Velani.
The pensioner, who struggles to walk, sobbed each time mourners mentioned her daughter’s name.
“The poor elderly woman has been left without a minder. Who is going to look after this woman?
“The children here go to school. The government must do something about this situation,” said Caphuka.
Mqala said the three youths were due to appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court this morning.
“They face charges of kidnapping and murder,” said Mqala. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Woman’s body found in toilet
The teen was later arrested and charged with her murder.
East London police said Nomnyama Velani, 47, was kidnapped in Lasmesi village by three knife-wielding men on Saturday night while she was walking home with her partner from a traditional ceremony.
The woman’s unidentified partner was stabbed in the shoulder and he fled, leaving Velani behind with the suspects. She was found in the toilet of a homestead in the village on Tuesday afternoon.
The police’s Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said three suspects aged 16, 21 and 27 were arrested on Tuesday.
Village chairman Bonisile Dyani said he had reported the abduction to police on Saturday night.
“On Sunday I convened a meeting that more than 100 residents attended and they subsequently assisted in searching for the deceased.
“We searched all over our forests but could not find her,” said Dyani, adding that the search was called off at sunset.
Residents met again on Tuesday morning for another search.
“During the meeting, a woman approached me and told me that her son was involved in the disappearance. She said her son was not sleeping at night because the woman’s spirit was troubling him,” said Dyani.
He said he informed the police, who then accompanied him to search for the young man.
“I found him in another village sleeping on his aunt’s bed and he started confessing.
“He led us to the body and pointed out the other two,” said Dyani.
Surprisingly, some of the three were among those who had helped search for the woman on Monday.
Village headman Boyana Caphuka said Dyani looked after her 84-year-old mother, Nontofani Velani.
The pensioner, who struggles to walk, sobbed each time mourners mentioned her daughter’s name.
“The poor elderly woman has been left without a minder. Who is going to look after this woman?
“The children here go to school. The government must do something about this situation,” said Caphuka.
Mqala said the three youths were due to appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court this morning.
“They face charges of kidnapping and murder,” said Mqala. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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