Siyavuya Mzantsi
THE boyfriend of Sinoxolo Mafevuka has been placed at the centre of the police’s investigation into the rape and murder of the Khayelitsha teenager.
This was according to investigating officer Butiki Tshabalala during his testimony under cross-examination by defence lawyer Thabo Nogemane at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Tshabalala confirmed the 19-year-old’s boyfriend, a cousin of the two men accused of Mafevuka’s rape and murder, was arrested earlier this year, but had been released due to lack of evidence against him.
Police believe jealousy was the motive behind Mafevuka’s killing. Tshabalala said she had been spotted at a local tavern with another man the day before she was found murdered. Tshabalala claims Mafevuka’s boyfriend, who cannot be named, wanted to marry her, despite the teenager not being interested.
Mafevuka’s naked body was found in a communal toilet about 200m from her SST block home in Khayelitsha on March 2. She had been raped, the state said. Her clothes were scattered around the toilet, which was filled with water.
Despite no forensic evidence being found on Mafevuka’s body, Tshabalala maintained that the two men, aged 22 and 27, were involved in the crime.
Tshabalala said they were caught by surprise when Mafevuka’s boyfriend told the police that he had been contacted and told that the teenager was missing. He said they were shocked because Mafevuka’s family had not reported her missing and had been under the impression she had visited a friend.
“I can state that he (the boyfriend) is still a suspect, but we don’t have enough to place him before the court. We are still investigating him,” said Tshabalala.
The teenager’s boyfriend was not in Khayelitsha during the night of the incident, Tshabalala said.
“Our view is that the boyfriend knew exactly that the accused were committing the crimes that night. He might not be physically involved, but was involved in conspiring.
“The investigation is at an advanced stage. We need to treat the accused fairly and not prejudice them at this stage,” said Tshabalala.
Wading into the state’s evidence, Nogemane questioned why Tshabalala had not obtained a statement from a man Mafevuka was seen leaving a tavern with. Tshabalala said the person was not a suspect. Nevertheless, they were still trying to locate him.
Nogemane put it to Tshabalala that none of the State witnesses had testified that they saw his clients raping and killing Mafevuka.
Postponing proceedings to Monday, Magistrate Xolani Menyiwe expressed deep concern about the time being taken to finalise the matter.