Durban — The body of a missing woman was found burnt in KwaZulu-Natal last week.
The KZN Department of Social Development said there was a discovery of burnt remains of a woman who had been reported missing.
“It is alleged that Nkosikhona Zondo, 27, had left her place of residence in Camperdown where she was staying with her sister after receiving a call from an unknown man. He indicated that she was supposed to report for duty on August 8, 2022, in the Eston-Illovo area,” the department said.
The woman’s sister could not find her after she left home until Wednesday, August 17, when they went to check the body of a woman found burnt in a sugar cane field by farmworkers.
“The deceased was burnt beyond recognition and had wires, suspected to be the remains of a tyre, around her neck.
“The deceased left behind her 7-year-old child. The family was only able to identify Zondo with pieces of her clothing that were slightly visible, including shoes and socks,” the department said.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said a case of murder is investigated by Mid Illovo after the body of a 27-year-old woman was found burnt in a sugar cane plantation in Eston on August 8, 2022.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.”
Reacting to the incident, MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza slammed the perpetration of violence against women and children in the province.
She also called on all men to protect those who are vulnerable in their communities and for police to spare no time in finding the culprit/s.
“It is very painful that desperate women die like this after being lured by being promised jobs. It is sad that heartless criminals continue to rob and kill unsuspecting women. We are shocked by the brutality shown to this young innocent woman,” Khoza said.
Though it was still unclear who was behind Zondo’s murder, she said, law enforcement agencies were following clear leads.
She called on the police to intensify their investigation as the perpetrators were right under their noses.
“It shouldn't take long for police to arrest the criminals behind Zondo's murder. We need to see the person behind her murder arrested with speed,” Khoza said.
She also called on women to be more vigilant as criminals continue to take advantage of their vulnerable situations.
“We plead with women to be sceptical of job offers that place them in dangerous situations like meeting potential employers in secluded places.
“We are facing an ongoing gender-based violence problem that is ripping through the province and country. The incidents of violent attacks on women and children continue to plague our nation although we are mounting campaigns to end the scourge,” she said.
Khoza sent her heartfelt condolences to the Zondo family and a team of social workers to provide psychosocial support to the family and the child who lost a mother.
She also emphasised the need for communities who might have information with regard to Zondo’s murder to share all details with the police.
Last month, a middle-aged woman was found raped, killed and burnt in Inanda, north of Durban.
The department said that it was alleged that Dumazihlebi Doris Sithole, 53, went out with friends for drinks and never returned home in Dube Village’s ward 55 in eThekwini Municipality.
“Her partner only heard from his neighbours that Sithole was trending on social media after she was brutally raped, killed and burnt by unknown people in Bhambayi’s Number Five Area,” the department said.
Daily News