Domestic killed in suspected hit attack
Slaying of beloved worker could be linked to her being murder witness
THE cold-blooded murder of a much-loved Port Elizabeth domestic worker, who was gunned down yesterday in what is thought to be a witness hit, has devastated her family and employer – whose children she raised.
Ntombizonke Dywili, 52 – who had just recently become a grandmother for the first time – was shot outside her home in Lukwe Street, Kwazakhele, at 6am.
“Aunty Patty” – as she was fondly known to the Prince family – had been on her way to their house in Overbaakens, where she had worked for the past 17 years and was regarded as part of the family.
There have been four suspected hits, some linked to revenge killings stemming from criminal activity, since the beginning of this month.
Two arrests were made yesterday in connection with these other killings.
Robbery has been ruled out as a motive in Dywili’s killing, which could possibly be linked to a murder she may have witnessed in a house across the street from her home.
Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said Dywili had been shot at close range while walking to the bus stop.
One theory being investigated is that the suspected killer or killers thought Dywili might have seen the murder of Makaya Mdoko, 43, on Saturday.
Mdoko’s killers first fired at his front door, which they then forced open and killed him inside the house.
The motive for the murder is not known.
A distraught Thozamile Dywili, 60, said he had never expected to say goodbye to his wife of 32 years for the last time yesterday.
“She was a wonderful wife. She held the whole family together,” he said. “She was loved by everyone in the neighbourhood.”
Thozamile said he had heard gunshots minutes after she left the house and immediately phoned his wife’s cellphone.
“It went unanswered and soon after this I heard people blowing whistles in the street to alert residents of a crime,” he said.
Thozamile walked down the street and found his wife’s body lying in the road.
“I tried to wake her up, but there was no response,” he said.
The couple have two sons, Siyavuya, 25, and Vuyo, 20.
Dywili’s employer, Stanton Prince, said: “We are shocked. My family is an absolute wreck after hearing the news.
“It is all just so surreal and we are struggling to come to terms with it.”
Prince said all three of his children had practically been raised by Dywili.
“She was part of the family and I really cannot believe something like this could happen to such a good, nice person,” he said.
“The kids are taking it really hard and the one [17-year-old son] had to be given a sedative.
“They have been crying the entire day.”
Prince described Dywili as a very religious person who would never hurt anyone.
“We just don’t understand how this could happen.
“Her husband called us in the morning and since then my family has been a wreck.”
Prince said Dywili had never mentioned the murder across the road from her.
“I spoke to her [on Tuesday] and she [said] nothing about it.
“She had her first grandchild a few weeks ago and was very excited about it. “It is just so tragic.” Beetge said: “The motive for the murder is still unknown.
“Nothing appears to be miss-
We are shocked. My family is an absolute wreck after hearing the news
ing – all her jewellery and personal belongings were found on her.”
Questioned about a possible hit, Beetge said this possibility was being investigated.
“To date, we have established that she might have witnessed another murder that occurred in the street [she lives in].
“The deceased, however, from the outset, told officials she had seen nothing.”
In another unrelated murder, three hours after Mdoko’s murder, Athenkosi Vela, 26, was gunned down in Nobatana Street in New Brighton.
“Vela was shot several times in the back room of a house,” Beetge said. “It is suspected to be linked to a revenge attack.”
At midday yesterday, a 28-year-old man handed himself over to police for Vela’s murder.
And at 2am yesterday, a 22-year-old man was arrested at a house in Zwide in connection with a revenge killing that took place two weekends ago.
The suspected killer, who is not being named until he has been formally charged in court, allegedly shot Sithembiso Salaze, 22, and his girlfriend, Sinesipho Zondani, 17.
The partially clothed bodies of the victims were found by a person who entered the shack after seeing the front door standing ajar.
“The bodies were found on the bed inside the shack. They had both been shot at close range,” Beetge said. “Nothing was missing.”
The murders are believed to have been a revenge attack linked to a botched drug deal.
The two suspects are due to appear in the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court this week.