Man accused of Orlando East girlfriend’s murder denied bail

Members of ActionSA, together with residents, gathered at the Orlando Magistrates’ Court on August 21 as Simiso Similo Phakathi (27), accused of murdering his girlfriend, Jabulisile Josephina Tshabalala (37), in Orlando East, appeared following his arrest in the North West.

Phakathi was arrested after community members in Joubertina and Klerksdorp recognised him from a photograph circulated by the SAPS.

He was wanted in connection with the murder after Tshabalala’s body was allegedly found in a room they were renting together, covered with clothes and blankets, six days after she was last seen alive.

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According to information provided by the SAPS, Tshabalala was stabbed to death on August 7.

The couple’s landlord, Nongo Maela, said the incident had left them traumatised and in disbelief.
She said the discovery of Tshabalala’s body came days after Phakathi was seen leaving the area with bags to visit his home in KwaZulu-Natal for a traditional ceremony.

“When he left, he said he had dropped his girlfriend in Meadowlands. After a couple of days, we noticed that the window in their rented room was left open. My daughter then opened their room and made the gruesome discovery.

“When my daughter opened the door, she stepped on Tshabalala’s foot. She then alerted the other tenants. Today, we are attending court in support of Tshabalala and her family, who are currently preparing for her funeral in Bloemfontein,” Maela said.

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She added that the family and tenants were distraught by Tshabalala’s death.

“The fact that she was discovered six days after her death means we have been living with a dead body in the yard all this time, yet there were no signs.

“The couple seemed normal to me because we had never seen them fight physically, although my daughter had previously reported incidents of arguments between the couple. We never took it seriously or thought it would escalate to murder. We thought it was just normal arguments that couples normally have.”

“Every time I walk around the yard, I am always reminded that she passed away in that exact room. Her family came to fetch her things and to traditionally cleanse the yard.

“We feel better now, but it does not take away the fact that a life was prematurely lost. The room they were occupying is currently empty, and that on its own brings back memories of the gruesome discovery.”

ActionSA PR councillor Kathleen Moticoe of Ward 31 said the incident had sparked great concern in the community.

“It is gut-wrenching for such events to happen in our communities, especially as we celebrate Women’s Month. This shows that the safety of our women continues to be compromised at the hands of men. Enough is enough. We are tired of having our women die at the hands of men.

“We are calling for the justice system not to fail us on this matter so that justice is served for Tshabalala and her family,” Moticoe said.

Phakathi made a brief appearance at the Orlando Magistrate’s Court, where he was denied bail.
His next appearance is set for August 28.