Serial killer fears reignited after bodies of three women found in South Coast cane fields

The recent murder of three women in the Umzumbe area has sparked fears in the community that a serial killer is on the loose.

Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed that the bodies of Nosipho (16) and Akhona Gumede (25) were found in a sugarcane field near Mthwalume on April 25.

The sisters had left their home in Mgwaba area without informing anyone. They were reported missing on March 28 when all attempts to contact them had failed.

Brig Naicker added that the body of Baja Duma (23) who had been reported missing on June 28, was found nearby on July 6. She had been stabbed in the chest.

Late last year, Nelisiwe Dube was also found dead in the same area.

Now the DA has called for these murders to be probed as the work of a serial killer.

The party’s councillor in the Ugu North area, Leonard Ngcobo, called on police minister Bheki Cele to investigate the ‘brutal killing’ of young women at Mnafu and Nkambeni locations.

Cllr Ngcobo said the community was scared, especially women who were now forced to stay at home for fear of being attacked.

People are worried, they are frightened that history might repeat itself, – Leonard Ngcobo

In 2010, Thozamile Taki was found guilty in the Durban High Court on 26 charges relating to the murders of 13 women.

The bodies of the women were found dumped in sugarcane fields in Umzinto area, which earned him the nickname of “Sugarcane Killer”.

Cllr Ngcobo said since the beginning of the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, the country had experienced an increase in gender-based violence.

“We are calling on Minister Cele to assemble a special team of high-ranking policemen and women to investigate these heinous crimes.”

Both cases have been assigned to one investigating officer.

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