Limpopo man in dock for girlfriend’s murder
Nhlamulo Maluleke was charged with murder after his girlfriend, Rivoningo Angel Ngoveni, was reported missing on January 27.
LIMPOPO – A 24-year-old man appeared in the Waterval Magistrate’s Court on February 5 for the murder of his 19-year-old girlfriend.
Rivoningo Angel Ngoveni from Bokisi village was reported missing on January 27 after she left home to enroll at university and did not return home. She apparently told her family that she also planned to visit her boyfriend in Chavani village, to bid him farewell before leaving for university.
Police investigations led to her body being found in a shallow grave and it was reported that she had stab wounds in the upper body and a head wound.
According to police spokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba, Nhlamulo Maluleke was charged with murder after he allegedly pointed out the shallow grave.
Before his first court appearance, a large crowd from Bokisi and Chavani villages marched and danced outside the courthouse, waving placards and demanding justice for Ngoveni.
The court also heard that Maluleke had set fire to his room at home after the incident, and that he had contacted the victim’s father at some point claiming they had been kidnapped around Polokwane.
Maluleke abandoned his bail application, and the matter was postponed to April 12 for further investigation.
An uncle who represents the victim’s family, Khazamula Ngoveni, said they were struggling to cope with the loss of the young woman.
“We were looking forward to her furthering her studies. Her mother died when she was young, and we were expecting a bright future from her.”
The community headman, Masungulo Mukhari, expressed shock over the murder.
