Family seeks justice for mother’s death

THE FAMILY of Ntobizonke Nkone, whose body was found in a water-filled ditch near Snake Park, are steadfastly refuting the recent autopsy results that point to a drowning.

The Kagisho police opened an inquest after her body was retrieved by forensic pathologists on April 16 but found that no foul play was suspected.

Family members stated that justice would not be served if Nkone’s partner was not called in for questioning.

Siyabonga Nteta said that there were too many questionable circumstances shrouding his mother’s death.

“We have overwhelming suspicions about who killed her. My mother’s partner usually visited her on a daily basis but was nowhere to be found following her death. He was seen wearing her jacket two weeks ago,” said Siyabonga.

“My mother’s half-naked body was found with her pants lowered to her thighs. There was blood on her face and mouth, while some of her clothes and shoes were missing and her ring was removed. Rocks were strategically placed near her head and feet.”

He added that the family had been left destitute following their mother’s death.

“I returned from Johannesburg, where I was playing soccer for Prestige United Football Club, to check what was happening at home, shortly before her death. There was a history of abuse. They started dating at the end of last year and my mother started wearing an engagement ring in January. Her partner gave the impression that he was the perfect gentleman in the company of others, while we were oblivious to what was happening behind closed doors.”

Siyabonga said he found it strange when his mother’s partner asked him for the slip a day after her death so that he could return the engagement ring.

“I refused to give it to him. It would have been impossible for the water in the canal to have washed away her ring or to pull her clothes halfway down her body.”

He indicated that his mother’s death was a bitter pill to swallow.

“I lost out on an opportunity to tour with the soccer team to Greece and Germany. Now I am struggling to find work. It is very difficult for us - my youngest siblings are still very young and we have been left traumatised.

“It is impossible for us to obtain closure. The possibility that someone was responsible for her murder will always linger in our minds because the main suspect’s involvement was never tested in a court of law.”

Another relative believed that Nkone’s partner had accused her of cheating on him.

“He found her wearing her ex-husband’s clothing even though they had separated a long time ago. She started drinking heavily after dating him as she was suffering from severe stress. On the day of her death, she told the nearby shop owner that she had a premonition that she was going to die,” said the relative.

She added that some eyewitnesses saw Nkone at the Tswelelang and Snake Park crossing shortly before her death.

“They said they saw the couple sitting there and drinking before going home. He was the last person to be seen with her before her battered and bruised body was found in an advanced state of decomposition.

“We requested that the case be escalated to the provincial office or that a new investigating officer be assigned to the case because two months following Nkone’s death, no one has been held accountable.”

She stated that the family had been split apart as Nkone’s children were being taken care of by different relatives.

“Her youngest child is three years old and it is obvious that the 13-year-old boy that I am looking after is struggling to come to terms with his mother’s death. I do not have any answers when the children ask me if anyone has been arrested.”

She said they would register a case with the Commission for Gender Equality as they believed the death was linked to gender-based violence and femicide.

“We really do not know where else to turn to.”

SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said this week that according to the post-mortem results, no foul play was suspected and there were no visible wounds on the body.

“The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was drowning,” said Shemane.

He added that the investigation had been concluded and all statements had been obtained.

“The docket will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for a further decision. The investigating officer will notify family members about the outcome from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“The police remain committed to the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

“Any new information can be forwarded to Detective Sergeant Pebane on 060 972 3264,” Shemane said.