Grandmother relives horror of grandson’s vigilante mob death
ELEVEN days ago, pensioner Minah Phewa desperately pleaded with eight men not to kill her teenaged grandson. But the men, aged between 19 and 29, allegedly assaulted Sanele Phewa before dragging him from the family’s homestead into a nearby valley, where his body was later found.
Some of his alleged assailants had been at school with Sanele, 18, who dropped out last year.
The killing has shocked the rural community of Umbumbulu in southern KwaZulu-Natal. The eight suspects were arrested a day after the killing and have been charged with murder. They are due to appear in the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court again tomorrow for a bail hearing.
Phewa, 87, said she had warned Sanele in the past about his reputation as a thief. She said he had been accused of stealing cellphones.
Neighbours said that on the day of the killing Sanele had arrived home in the afternoon and had gone straight to sleep. Minutes later, the assailants arrived, armed with hammers, sticks and knives.
People who watched the violence that followed said the eight men stormed Sanele’s hut and dragged him out. They then started beating him.
“I could hear his painful screams,” said Phewa. I prayed to God that they wouldn’t kill him. But it’s too late now — he’s no more and we have to accept God’s will.”
She said she had repeatedly screamed “Please don’t kill him!”
Half an hour later, Sanele’s naked body, with several stab wounds, was found in a bloody pool of mud near the homestead. Bloodstained rocks were found scattered around it.
Mthambo High School principal Innocent Nkwanyana would not comment, but provincial department of education spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said developments were being monitored.
The suspects are Siyabonga Mkhize and Manqoba Malevu, both 19; Mfana-
I prayed to God that they wouldn’t kill him. But it’s too late now — he’s no more and we have to accept God’s will
futhi Lembede, Mndeni Nxumalo, Nkululeko Gumede and Simphiwe Mtshali, all 21; Zamukulunga Gumede, 25; and Mfundo Makhanya, 29.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said vigilantism would not be tolerated.
“The perpetrators will be arrested, prosecuted and sent to prison.”