A Khutsong mother has been left devastated after her daughter was brutally killed on her child’s tenth birthday. The suspect, the victim’s boyfriend, allegedly attempted to recruit a friend to help dispose of the body before being apprehended by vigilant community members.

Gloria Ngubane’s daughter, 32-year-old ‘Zelda’ Genuka Nonsikilelo, was visiting friends in Khayalethu on 24 January when her boyfriend, Seun Bangube, arrived to fetch her to prepare supper. It was the last time her family would see her alive, reports Carletonville Herald.

A night of terror

Neighbours later recalled hearing a heated argument coming from the house that evening. Some reported hearing the sound of a whistle being blown – a desperate signal for help – but they were too frightened to intervene.

The horrific details of Zelda’s final moments emerged the following day. It is alleged that Bangube called a friend to his house, claiming he needed ‘help with something’. Upon arrival, the friend discovered Zelda’s body. Investigations suggest she had been beaten and stabbed to death, having tried in vain to barricade herself in the bathroom to escape her attacker.

The friend reportedly told Bangube he was leaving to find more people to assist, but instead fled and did not return. Realising his plan had failed, Bangube allegedly panicked and fled the scene, locking the house with Zelda’s body still inside.

Arrest and community outrage

When neighbours were unable to reach Zelda, they alerted the police, who discovered her body inside the locked premises.

Bangube’s flight ended in Ventersdorp, where community members recognised him. After an apparent assault by the mob, he was handed over to the police. He was brought back to Khutsong and made his first court appearance on February 3.

On Tuesday (February 10), a large group of supporters and gender-based violence activists gathered outside the Khutsong Magistrate’s Court for his second appearance. Bangube was denied bail, and the case has been postponed to 11 March.

A life cut short

The tragedy is compounded by the fact that Zelda, an intern at Carletonville Hospital, was murdered on her daughter’s tenth birthday. The child is currently in the care of her grandmother.

“She was sweet, humble, down to earth, and respected everyone,” Gloria said of her daughter. Colleagues at the hospital held a special memorial service to honour her memory.

Compounding the family’s anger is the revelation that Bangube was reportedly out on bail for a separate murder charge at the time of Zelda’s killing.

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