Relatives left devastated at man’s death

Cries of devastated family members filled the air when they saw the body of their relative who was reportedly murdered inside a shack in Pola Park over the weekend.

Inkululeko neighbourhood watch member Elias Magwayi said the team was alerted on Sunday morning via a message on the community group chat alleging that Yanga Ntabeni,

23, had been found dead in a shack belonging to a young man.

“We found that the deceased had been in the shack since Friday. We traced the owner’s whereabouts and he admitted to beating the young man with his friends after he discovered that he had stolen his belongings,” said Mnyamezeli Sana.

Sana said the deceased used to visit his shack and did not deny physically attacking him, adding that he was willing to co-operate with authorities.

Neighbour Nomvulo Ngqongqo. who heard disturbing sounds at about

10pm on Friday, said she had stepped outside to see where the sounds were coming from.

“I heard a voice pleading ‘Please Aphiwe, please, I’m sorry.’ I called his name, but no-one responded. I could not establish what happened thereafter,” she said.

The accused’s relative said he had confessed to beating and tying up the deceased after an alleged burglary on Friday.

“He said he did not beat him up severely, but I asked that he report the matter to the neighbourhood watch and the police. I did not see him on Saturday. He should not have locked that boy inside the shack.

“The family is distraught, Yanga’s passing has come as a shock. We were told what allegedly happened, but we want justice be served,” said Ntabeni’s grandmother, Noluthando Nocanda.

“If the allegations of burglary are true, I want to point out that such actions lead to such results and discourage people from taking the law into their own hands,” Magwayi said. “We preach this daily.

“There are legal ways to handle these situations. The neighbourhood watch is present and here to assist.”

Police spokesperson Capt Namhla Mdleleni said investigations were under way after a man, 24, was arrested and is facing a murder charge.