Family hope for truth about girl’s death

Ex-boyfriend to take stand in murder trial

A family who believes its daughter was murdered by her ex-boyfriend hope the same fate suffered by Karabo Mokoena’s killer‚ Sandile Mantsoe‚ will befall the suspect in their case.

“We were happy with the outcome in Karabo’s case. It will send a clear message to others that they cannot simply get away with murder‚” said Musa Phangela‚ whose niece Nhlanhla was found butchered to death in a veld in Soweto last year.

Mantsoe‚ 28‚ was last week found guilty and sentenced to 32 years’ imprisonment for killing his 22-year-old lover. Her charred remains were found in a ditch last year.

Nhlanhla Phangela, 19, died following 27 stab wounds.

She was stabbed in the heart, neck‚ belly button and 22 times in her back.

She was last seen heading to her ex-boyfriend’s home to collect her charger and jacket after a break-up.

“Her body was found next to the water tower between Chiawelo and Phiri [Soweto]. When I went there‚ the body had been moved. The place was full of blood‚” her uncle told TimesLIVE last year.

Musa said it had been a “draining experience” to head to court each time. Proceedings resume today in the Protea Magistrate’s Court.

“Tonight [last night] we will be having a prayer at our home in Rockville‚ Soweto‚ with the neighbours and community members‚” Musa said. “Things must just unfold.” They are expecting the suspect‚ Nkululeko Khubeka‚ to take the stand this week.

“All we want is for him to tell the truth‚ to tell the truth as it is‚” he said.

Michael Hlatshwayo‚ one of the prosecutors in Mokoena’s case‚ is prosecuting their case too. “I am very confident in the advocate we have and we will just have to trust the justice system‚” Musa said.