Parents of Musa Sebola (8) whose body was found charred in May last year said the death of his murder accused has left a bittersweet taste in their mouth.
The father of the boy, Lutendo Nedombeloni, said he found out from the accused’s relative that he apparently died on 17 December after a brief illness. The accused was in police custody while he suddenly fell ill and subsequently died.
“If it were for me he shouldn’t have died until justice was served. I wanted him to feel the pain I felt but now he is dead and can’t feel anything. However, part of me also feels that now that he is not alive maybe it would bring peace to us,” he said.
Musa was reported missing on 2 May when he did not return home in Ivory Park from school. His body was found near a river in Bapsfontein five days after his disappearance. The man arrested for the murder was a local businessman and an ex-lover of the murdered boy’s mother, Jane Sebola.
The mother said she was relieved that she won’t have to see him again. The accused missed two of his court appearance in November last year due to illness. The case was heard at the Tembisa Magistrates’ Court on 24 January and it was postponed to 23 February for the state to obtain the accused’s death certificate.
“It is unfair that he didn’t face the might of the law and the case didn’t end well. I am also relieved that he no longer lives to harm other people,” said the boy’s mother.
Both parents agreed that what was left was to pick up the pieces and move on with their lives. “There’s nothing we can do. We just need to accept and move on.”
What do you think about the development of the case? Let us know by emailing our journalist, Lungile Dube, at lungiled@caxton.co.za
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