Suspect out on bail for rape
Teen’s alleged killer a family neighbour
The man accused of burning a teenager and dumping her body in the veld in Klerksdorp, North West, was out on bail for alleged rape when he committed the latest crime.
The 32-year-old man from Jouberton, who cannot be named before he has pleaded in court, was allegedly arrested a few weeks ago for the rape of another 15-year-old girl.
Police were yesterday left shocked after the rape victim told them that she had seen the man tying Nombuyiselo Nombewu with a rope before her charred body was found dumped in the veld.
Police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed a case of rape was opened against the suspect and that he was out on bail when he allegedly committed this latest crime.
The man will appear in court today for allegedly killing Nombewu. The suspect was apparently a religious man who was preparing a Mother’s Day speech to be read in church a day after the alleged brutal killing.
Nombewu’s charred body was found dumped just a kilometre from her home on Sunday. The church pastor’s wife, Lindelwa Mpontshane, said she cried in disbelief that the man they knew so well may have done such a horrible thing.
“He was used by some evil spirits, I don’t think God can bring a person in this world and make him do such a despicable thing,” Mpontshane said.
According to Nombewu’s family, her mother left her in 2005 with her granny Susan Nombewu, while her father died the same year.
Her aunt Vuyelwa Nombewu said her body was still smouldering when her remains were found.
The family was shocked that the man who allegedly killed their daughter was a neighbour who often came to their home to have lunch. He had visited the family last week Sunday during the victim’s brother’s Kuno’s engagement party.
“He laughed with us and told my granny to bake more bis- cuits for him. Little did I know that a few days later, he would kill my sister like an animal,” Kuno said.
Nombewu was a Grade 8 pupil at Matlosana Secondary School. Her grandmother Susan Nombewu said the same Friday her granddaughter went missing, the alleged killer had come to their house and promised to help them find her.
Neighbour Oupa Johnson said that on the night Nombewu was killed, he saw four men carrying a big plastic and gave chase but decided to leave them because he was scared.