THE man who was arrested following the fatal stabbing of a woman in Pinetown on Sunday, October 26, is due back in court on November 7 for a bail application.

The 43-year-old, Sikhumbuzo Zungu, who was arrested on Tuesday, October 28, made his first appearance at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 30.

The atmosphere was tense as Zungu’s family and that of the woman, Babongile Nkonyeni (35), whom he is accused of stabbing to death, packed the court gallery on Thursday.

Zungu faces an additional charge of theft because at the time of his arrest, he was allegedly found in possession of two cellphones belonging to Nkonyeni.

Nkonyeni’s family, who gathered outside court with placards calling for justice for Nkonyeni, said Zungu should not be granted bail and called for a maximum sentence once the matter proceeds to trial.

“I need him to die in prison,” said Nkonyeni’s sister Sindi Shezi.

Also read: Bail postponed for cop accused of killing colleague

Shezi alleged that her sister and Zungu had been in an on-and-off relationship since 2012, which was allegedly troubled and characterised by the abusive nature of the accused.

According to Shezi, the pair have an eight-year-old child and the family fears for their safety should Zungu be granted bail.

According to the police, Nkonyeni was murdered at about 03:00 at a residence on Glenridge Road in Pinetown.

Pinetown SAPS communications officer Jennifer Naidu said: “The victim was stabbed multiple times with an okapi knife. She was declared deceased on the scene.”

Naidu added that when the suspect was arrested by Detective Sergeant Neolin Chetty from the Pinetown SAPS, he was allegedly found in possession of property belonging to the murdered woman.

Naidu said the matter is still under investigation.

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