Deaf mom in fight for justice

Twenty months after her son was stabbed to death, a Mthatha mother feels that justice has not been done by police as her son’s killers have not been arrested.

The 65-year-old deaf mother, Nonkuthalo Mbiyo-Tshangela, said her son, Sibabalo, 30, was killed in January 2019 but police had been sending her from pillar to post.

She told the Dispatch police at the scene on the day of the murder said she would be contacted about developments.

The woman, who wrote notes to convey her story to the Dispatch, said the aftermath of the incident had left her depressed and frustrated.

“I went to the magistrate ’ s court to tell them about my situation so that they could organise an interpreter before the trial started, but that was not the case. I don’t know whether the people who killed my son were arrested or not,” she said. “I’m just clueless and frustrated.”

Provincial police spokesperson captain Khaya Tonjeni said a case of murder was under investigation, but confirmed there had been no arrest.

“If our customers are not entirely satisfied with the service by our detectives, we implore them to report this to their immediate managers, the branch commander. If the intervention of the branch commander is not satisfactory, the complainant can elevate the query to station commissioner or district commissioner up to the province,” said Tonjeni.

This was to ensure accountability, redress and transparency, he added. “We implore the public to use these mechanisms, stages and platforms for immediate intervention.”

The deaf mother even visited court, hoping to see her son’s killers. “On the two occasions that I have been in court last year in June and October, all I see is people standing while some are sitting down. I know nothing about what is happening. I reported my situation because I wanted to know,” she said.

“I have to ask people outside the court what happened. That is not fair. I am in pain because I feel like my rights are neglected. Why should a deaf person suffer like this?”

Mbiyo-Tshangela said all she wanted to hear was why her son was killed.

The deceased’s younger brother, Zukisani, lamented the frustration the murder of his brother had caused the family.

“I have been to the Madeira police station to inquire about the incident many times. Once police said I should leave my number and I will be called. This was after I was told the investigating officer was on maternity leave. This is frustrating us a lot. It is taking too long.”