Bethelsdorp pensioner, 70, stabbed to death for cellphone
● Pillar of community Kathlene ‘Winnie’ Michaels found lying in bedroom with multiple wounds
A God-fearing woman and mother to her community was murdered in her home at the weekend for a cellphone.
The body of Bethelsdorp resident Kathlene “Winnie” Michaels, 70, was found in her bedroom on Sunday after she was stabbed to death.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said a neighbour had become suspicious as she had last seen Michaels at 10am on Saturday.
“On [Sunday], Mrs Michaels’ son came to visit but left because the place was locked,” Naidu said.
“At about 6pm, the neighbour saw a window wide open and sent her son to investigate.
“Mrs Michaels was found dead in the bedroom with multiple stab wounds.
“At this stage, only her cellphone appears to be missing.”
Her youngest of three children, Hanley Stanley, 43, said his mother’s death was a bitter pill to swallow.
“She was a people’s person, a beam of light,” he said.
“My mom was the mother of her community and was active in the community. She knew everyone and everyone knew her.”
Stanley said Michaels, a funeral parlour owner, had lived for God.
“God-fearing is how I would describe her. She went to church and always spread the gospel,” he said.
“She was an incredibly strong woman, very prim and proper too, but she also had a funny sense of humour.”
Stanley said the DA activist had raised her children singlehandedly.
“My mother was our mom and dad,” he said.
“She was a single mom and raised us to the best of her ability.
“Without her, we are nothing ... we mourn, we mourn deeply.
“We don’t know exactly what happened, just that our hearts are in pain.”
The DA’s Gqeberha northern areas constituency leader, Yusuf Cassim, said Michaels had been a staunch member of the party.
“We are saddened and devastated by what has happened. We are suffering a big loss,” Cassim said.
“We are in contact with the family and have offered our support.”
Cassim described the killing as senseless.
“We will fight for justice. “We can’t continue like this. “The northern areas are under siege.
“The DA will continue to fight to rescue the people of the northern areas from gangsterism and violence.”
Community activist Pamela Mabini also said the murder was senseless.
“It’s heart-wrenching to hear about the death of a 70year-old woman in a home break-in,” Mabini said.
“This is a tragic reminder of the increasing crime rates and the vulnerability of our communities.
“It’s essential that law enforcement and local authorities take swift action to investigate this crime and prevent similar incidents from happening.
“We need to prioritise the safety and security of our citizens, especially the most vulnerable among us.
“It proves that whoever did this is heartless.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family during this difficult time.”