Mom’s plea for justice
TWO years after her daughter’s death, a Richards Bay mother is still seeking justice.
In November 2021, Simone Lee Mulayen, 22, a waitress, was found dead in a veld in Brackenham, after an alleged hit-and-run accident.
Shortly after her death, police arrested a suspect who appeared in the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court. He was later released after the matter was withdrawn, pending further investigation into the case.
Melissa Mulayen said this week that she was still waiting for answers from the police.
In a desperate attempt to ensure justice for her daughter’s murder, Mulayen will hold a rally on Saturday (November 4), at the Brackenham Sports Ground at 1pm.
She said the aim of the rally was to draw public attention to the case and to call on the police to expedite the investigation.
Mulayen said: “I will never forget how I found my child’s body. Simone had finished her shift at the restaurant after 10pm.
“She usually called for a taxi. If she could not get a taxi, she would call me to arrange for someone to fetch her because it is a 45-minute walk to our home. On that fateful day, I am not sure what led to her to walk home.”
Mulayen said some people who knew Simone had visited her after 11pm to inform her that they had seen Simone walking home.
“I questioned why they did not pick her up and they said they were travelling in a friend’s vehicle.
“They left my home and returned a few minutes later with a shoe that belonged to Simone.
“They said they had found it near a veld. I was immediately worried. I thought she may have been kidnapped and went straight to the police station to report the matter.
“A police officer contacted one of the members of the group who had come to my house, and asked him to take us to the spot where they had found the shoe,” said Mulayen.
She said they searched the area for almost an hour before Simone’s body was found.
Mulayen said when the arrest was made, she thought she would get swift justice.
“I was told there was not enough evidence against the suspect and further investigations were needed. I don’t understand why additional investigations were needed when pieces of his vehicle were found near my daughter's body.”
Mulayen said she had been in constant contact with the investigating officer and prosecutor.
“For the past two years, I have been travelling from Brackenham to Empangeni to meet the prosecutor about the case. Nobody gives me updates. I am pushing for answers. I will not rest until I get justice for my daughter’s murder.”
For Mulayen the difficult part has been watching her grandsons, Zechariah Lee, 5, and Micah, 4, grow up without their mother.
“They went through their birthdays and Christmas without their mom. Zechariah started Grade R this year. My daughter lived for them and they miss her so much.
“I heard Zechariah tell Micah that he wanted to go to heaven so he could see his mom for a little bit. It broke my heart.”
Richards Bay police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.
The National Prosecuting Authority had not commented by the time of publication.