Durban - The family and friends of a Pietermaritzburg Lifeline counsellor who died after being forced to drink battery acid, reacted with shock and anger when the murder charge against the woman’s ex-boyfriend was on Monday withdrawn.
The charge against Simphiwe Mbanjwa, 23-year-old Thulile Phungula’s former boyfriend, was withdrawn at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court due to insufficient evidence.
Mbanjwa was arrested shortly after Phungula’s death on August 21. He has denied involvement in her death.
According to initial police investigations, it was alleged Mbanjwa had cornered Phungula at her home, dragged her into nearby bushes and forced her to drink battery acid. Her organs disintegrated, resulting in her death.
Phungula apparently identified her killer to nurses before she died in hospital.
Her cousin, Letti Nene, said they were devastated with the court outcome.
“Thuli was a young, beautiful woman who was focused on her career and helping people. She died such a painful and horrific death, and no justice has been served.”
A colleague of Phungula, who did not want to be named, said: “More needs to be done to protect women in this country. Thuli has become a statistic.”