Family demands justice after Mooifontein woman’s murder; suspect due in court

As a suspect arrested in connection with the murders of women in Ekurhuleni is expected to make his first appearance in court, the family of one of the victims, Ntombifuthi Nxumalo, is calling for justice.

The man accused of killing her is expected to appear in the Thembisa magistrate’s court on Tuesday afternoon.

Nxumalo’s body was discovered on Saturday next to the Mooifontein cemetery in Thembisa.

Police arrested the suspect in Mohlabaneng village in Limpopo, more than 400km away from the crime scene, which he allegedly fled after committing the crime.

We are so hurt as a family. This has left a scar that will never heal for us. We never thought we would experience this type of horrific experience—  Linda Nhleko, family spokesperson

Nxumalo’s family said they were still struggling to accept the horrific circumstances of her death and were preparing to face the man they believe is responsible for their loss.

Linda Nhleko, the family spokesperson, said the family never imagined going through such an experience.

“We are so hurt as a family. This has left a scar that will never heal for us. We never thought we would experience this type of horrific experience,” Nhleko said.

“When people talk about the killings of women and gender-based violence, we will count ours as number 10, in the family, in her children and in the community of Nongoma [in KwaZulu-Natal]. We are so hurt by the way my sister departed this world.”

The family do not know the suspect and will see him for the first time when he appears in court.

“We want justice so that all other people must know that a woman is the most respected and important person in this world,” Nhleko said.

“We want the police to lock him in prison. Take the keys and throw them away. He must never see the light of day.”

I am so sad and hurt. My mom was my friend—  Cindy Nxumalo, daughter

Nxumalo is survived by five children, who the family said were struggling to deal with the loss of their mother.

Nhleko said Nxumalo was unemployed and did not have funeral insurance, leaving the family worried about how they would pay to transport her body to Nongoma, where she comes from.

“We do not know how we are going to bury her and take her body to Nongoma. If there is anyone who can assist us with donations to take my sister’s body to Nongoma, it would be appreciated.

“We do not have any insurance, and my sister was not working,” Nhleko said.

One of her children, Cindy Nxumalo, said her mother was more than just a parent to her.

Nkosikhona Luvuno, chief of the Ehlanzeni hostel in Thembisa, urged men to reject violence and to become people women and children can trust.