Netball star’s body found

The body of a young Port St Johns woman has been found several days after she went missing.

Ncebakazi Mpiyakhe, 21, of Sijungqwini village in the Chaguba administrative area near Port St John, went missing on September 12. Her partly decomposed body was found in a bushy area on September 16.

Her uncle, community leader Yekani Maninjwa, said villagers had been searching for the young netball star since her disappearance.

“The team had gone for a netball match to Majola location on September 12 and had returned to celebrate their victory at a local tavern. It is said she left the tavern at 2am but she never reached home.

“Her partly decomposed body was discovered by a resident. She was still in her netball kit,” Maninjwa said.

Maninjwa said a postmortem would be done on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni urged anyone with information that could lead to an arrest to report to the nearest police station.

“The young woman was found dead at Sijungqwini locality Chaguba administrative area in Port St Johns on September 16 at about 11am.

“A case of murder is being investigated and anyone with information may contact Detective Lt-Col Mandla Miya on 082-779-7259,” Tonjeni said.

Mpiyakhe was the longestserving member of the Rising Star netball team, her uncle said, adding the young woman was involved in many sporting activities, including mentoring young netball players and assisting in the administration of several sporting codes in Port St Johns.

The Rising Stars will hold a memorial service on Thursday.

The funeral will be held on Saturday.