Eastern Cape woman raped and killed in Cacadu

WARNING: STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC DETAILS THAT MAY UPSET READERS

Yet another young woman’s life has been cut short in the Eastern Cape due to gender-based violence (GBV). 24-year-old Zenande Manqola was raped and killed at her Machubeni home in Cacadu, formerly known as Lady Frere, on Friday night.

She was found lying in a pool of blood by family members who came to check on her. She had stab wounds on her upper body and her throat was slit open.

The brutal murder of Manqola comes hot on the heels to that of Nosicelo Mtebeni who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend in August. She was dismembered and her remains were found not far from where she stayed in East London.

Another woman, Noluvuyo Nonkwelo-Ndema, whose body was found under a bathtub in a house she shared with her husband, was laid to rest last month after she was reported missing in 2019 in Dutywa.

Manqola was murdered allegedly by people known to her. Her grandfather, Ndoyisile Manqola was amongst the family members who saw the state his granddaughter was in.

“I saw many people gathered here and I called my nephew. He asked me to rush here because Zenande has been raped and killed. On arrival, we saw my granddaughter’s body lying in a pool of blood.”

Government intervention

Residents are distraught. They say killings are rife in the area and they want urgent intervention from the government.

“We don’t know where we will get help because every time these children kill, they get arrested but they get released the next day, then the case disappears. They say we must go to the police when we are in trouble but the police are useless now because they do nothing.”

“Rape is rare here. But the killing of people happens more often, by the same suspects.”

“Oh, she was a good girl. She would laugh all the time. Zenande was full of love and would greet you from afar. We are hurt as the residents. We are devastated.”

Two suspects who are believed to be relatives of the deceased have been arrested for the crime. Police spokesperson Tembinkosi Kinana explains.

“A case of murder was opened and investigations led to the arrest of two suspects. The suspects appeared in Cacadu Magistrate’s Court and were remanded in custody till their next court appearance on the 11th of November for a formal bail application.”

Two other alleged perpetrators, who are also related to the deceased, have been beaten to death by the residents. Zenande Manqola will be laid to rest on Saturday the 13th of November.

Yet another young woman’s life taken in the Eastern Cape: