THE family of the woman who was recently allegedly stabbed to death by her lover in Pinetown maintain that the accused should not be granted bail.

The accused, Sikhumbuzo Zungu (43), was in the dock at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, November 17, where his bail application was adjourned for Monday, November 24.

Sindi Shezi, the sister of the murdered Babongile Nkonyeni (35), said she was heartbroken as Zungu seemed to show no remorse whilst the bail proceedings were underway on Monday.

“He does not deserve bail. What if he gets out and comes and finishes the rest of the family off? We do not know what is going through his mind,” said Shezi, who added that the family is deeply concerned about the negative impact this will have on the eight-year-old child Zungu has with Nkonyeni.

She, however, said the child has started counselling sessions.

Shezi said what further justifies why Zungu should not be granted bail is that after he allegedly stabbed her sister to death, he left the scene and returned to it later in the day, and that he was arrested only two days after the incident.

Also read: Mother of woman allegedly stabbed to death by lover recounts pain

Zungu was arrested on Tuesday, October 28, after the Sunday, October 26 murder of Nkonyeni at about 03:00 at a residence on Glenridge Road in Pinetown.

Nkonyeni’s other sister, Thokozani, previously said that on the day of the incident she began calling the deceased at around 10:00 but her phone went unanswered throughout the day.

Thokozani said at around 18:50 she decided to contact Zungu, who upon answering the call sounded down and said he was on his way to Babongile.

However, Thokozani added, when she tried Zungu again about 30 minutes later, he did not answer his phone and she then called a neighbour to ask that they check up on Babongile, and 30 minutes later learned of the murder.

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 Babongile.

Babongile’s mother, Sibongile Shezi, said that she has learnt that the relationship between her daughter and Zungu was strained, but would not speculate on whether that was the cause of the murder.

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