uMhlanga call center manager accused of murder abandons bail
Mfanafuthi Kunene, accused of kidnapping and killing 23-year-old Ayabonga Mjilo, abandoned bail at the Durban Magistrate’s Court and will be back in court on February 26. The State awaits more witness statements and DNA results.
Mfanafuthi Kunene, the man accused of kidnapping and killing 23-year-old Ayabonga Mjilo and burying her in his back yard in Inanda, has appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance on February 26, pending further investigations.
A limping and bruised Kunene, 37, made his first appearance on Monday, January 6, in Court 11 before Magistrate Sicelo Zuma and with the assistance of Legal Aid lawyer Ntando Cele, he chose not to pursue his bail application.
Kunene, who is a call centre manager in uMhlanga, was arrested on January 4 following the gruesome discovery of Mjilo’s body at his home in Amaotana.
Also read: KZN Premier condemns kidnap and murder of young woman
Mjilo, who was living in Quarry Heights, Avoca, was last seen alive leaving a restaurant in uMhlanga with the accused on December 25. When she failed to return home, Mjilo’s family reported her missing at Greenwood Park police station where a case of kidnapping was opened, leading to the investigation and the arrest of the accused who was her former supervisor.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said, “Thorough police investigations uncovered the identity of the man who was seen leaving the establishment with the missing woman. During the investigations it was discovered that the man, who was her manager at work, took her to his home at Amaotana area in Inanda. The two reportedly had an altercation and the man allegedly strangled her to death and buried her body in his yard.”
In court, a softly spoken Kunene confirmed to Magistrate Zuma that he was indeed abandoning his bail application, while State Prosecutor Desiree Boyang Mlondo asked for time to finalise witness statements and the outcome of DNA results. Kunene abandoning his bail and him being remanded in custody was welcomed by Mjilo’s family who were in court, alongside the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli.
Mthi Mjilo said they are devastated by the murder of Ayabonga. He said the family from Illovo on the South Coast was still grieving the murder of their seven relatives who were killed in the Highflats in September.
Also read: Suspect arrested for kidnapping and murder of woman last seen in uMhlanga
“It hurts that every time you see us we are on TV because of a murdered family member,” said Mthi. “We as a country and the police are in trouble because of the lawlessness and the ongoing killings. We need justice for our sister (Ayabonga) and we are concerned about if we will get that for her because there is evidence that she was murdered, but when you get to court you will hear the evidence is not enough to convict the accused.”
His concerns were echoed by the sister of the deceased, Nontobeko Mjilo, who thanked the police for arresting the accused.
“Since day one, Greenwood Park SAPS have been with us and worked day and night to find my sister. We are heartbroken and devastated that she was not found alive. Now it’s the law’s turn to play its part and grant us justice,” said Nontobeko.
Mjilo’s murder has again highlighted the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the province, which has been denounced by Ntuli. He called on communities, organisations and families to confront the scourge to bring an end to the ongoing violence.
Also read: Durban North organisation’s ongoing fight against gender-based violence
“Every leader of the family needs to sit down and have this conversation so that this scourge of violence against women and children will end. It is not right for us as the people of KZN and tourists who are viewing the province as one that is not safe, and violent against women and children. This scourge demands collective action, and every citizen to unite in rejecting these barbaric acts,” said Ntuli.
Kunene faces charges of murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.
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