Suspect accused of killing his ex

LLOYD Simbarashe, the man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Nikita Lewis while she was in hiding at a domestic violence and abuse care centre, is expected to stand trial at the Western Cape High Court.

The case, briefly before the court yesterday, was postponed to Tuesday, for an interpreter.

Simbarashe is accused of stabbing 24-year-old Lewis, from Factreton, while she was seeking refuge at the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Manenberg. Lewis, a mother of an 8-year-old boy, had been living at the centre for just over a month when Simbarashe tracked her down and killed her on October 9, 2015.

Lewis, two other women and four minors from the centre had gone shopping on the day at Pick and Save Superette, about 1km away.

“The accused entered the shop after them and grabbed the deceased,” the indictment stated.

It is alleged the two women accompanying Lewis attempted to free her from Simbarashe’s clutches, but they were assaulted by him and had sustained serious injuries.

“The accused chased and pushed the deceased to the ground, pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed her while sitting on top of her. She died inside the shop in a pool of blood.” Lewis was stabbed 34 times. Simbarashe is faced with four charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, housebreaking, common assault and murder. He is yet to plead. Prior to her murder Lewis had endured physical abuse from Simbarashe.

On Women’s Day that same yearthe acused threw acid on her face after she had refused to move in with him. She was treated for the injuries. On her return from hospital on August 21, Simbarashe forced his way into her home. He assaulted Lewis’s mother and grandmother who were attempting to stop him. This led her to flee her home.

HE REPEATEDLY STABBED HER WHILE SITTING ON TOP OF HER