Mtwalume mother murdered two years after daughter
Phumzile Mthethwa's sister believes that she had been in numerous abusive relationships.
Phumzile Mthethwa was found lifeless on the side of the road in Esgqungeni, Mtwalume on September 15.
A man, believed to be her partner, is on the run, with police and the community searching for him.
Mthethwa’s sister Anele said she received a call asking her to come to the place where the body was found.
She said she last saw her sister on the morning of September 13 and explained that one of her (Phumzile’s) friends had come looking for her, worried, on September 14 as they could not get hold of her on the phone.
“When I received the call, I quickly went to the scene. Her clothes were torn, she had bruises on her face, an injury to her head, and she had been covered with leaves,” she said.
Anele believed her sister had been in an abusive relationship but that she had tried to hide it from her.
“She would come home with a swollen face and bruises, and when asked would lie and say she fell.”
In April 2024, the South Coast Herald reported the murder of two-year-old Lumingaye Mthethwa
This was Phumzile’s daughter, killed by her then boyfriend (a different man to the current partner).
The girl was found near a water tank, covered with a basin and a jacket.
Anele said her sister has been in numerous abusive relationships, one that led to her daughter’s death and now one that has led to her death.
She said her sister’s death brought back horrific memories. As a family they are devasted, heartbroken, shattered.
“She was our pillar, she did everything for us and never complained. I would even ask her to help me with my small baby and she would.”
Nombuso Sibisi of Women of Mtwalume said they are all appalled by this incident as it yet another case of a women being killed in Mtwalume.
“We have begged and apologised to all men that if we ever did them wrong, we are sorry. I encourage women in any sort of abusive relationship to get out immediately as you could end up being killed.”
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda says Hibberdene police have opened a murder case following an incident in which a 43 year old woman was found dead in the bushes.
“The deceased’s body was found with bruises, and it is alleged that she was strangled to death by an unknown suspect. The motive for the killing is unknown.”
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