Durban - It was a day of joyous celebration of a life well lived when slain Ixopo nun, Gertrud Tiefenbacher, was laid to rest on Monday.
Hundreds of people, including IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, gathered at the Sacred Heart Home’s church to bid farewell to Tiefenbacher, 86, who had come to be known as Sister Stefani after she joined the convent.
Former pupils from Little Flower, a school Tiefenbacher helped start, said there was no way they would have missed out on the chance to celebrate the life of the person who had shaped their lives.
Michelle Vere, 44, an attorney with the Department of Justice in Durban, said she felt blessed to have known Tiefenbacher in her lifetime.
“When the sister (Gerald Frye, in charge of the convent) told me the funeral was on the Monday (public holiday) I was ecstatic because that meant there was no way I would miss this opportunity to celebrate Sister Stefani’s life” she said.
Imelda Sutherland, 49, said she had paid Tiefenbacher a visit on April 1, after last seeing her in 1984 when she completed her matric.
“I’m glad I got the chance to be with her for the last time. We sat and reminisced about when I was a pupil here, had a cup of tea and took a walk in the garden,” said the primary school teacher, who now works in Austerville, south of Durban.
During the service, members of the congregation sang and danced joyfully, reflecting the life of a nun remembered for her bubbly personality.
Different speakers told of the fond memories they had of her and how she had touched their lives.
Buthelezi said Tiefenbacher’s murder had particularly “touched” him because they were almost the same age.
“She was only a few months younger than I am. I can only imagine how vulnerable she must have been when she was attacked,” he said.
What happened was an irrational act as Tiefenbacher had not come to the country to find greener pastures but solely to carry out God’s work, he said.
“She was not in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was in a place where she should have been the most safe.”
Bishop Mlungisi Dlungwane, who led the service, called Tiefenbacher’s murder inhumane.
“What kind of animal behaviour is this? These people hide among us and I know that sometimes we are afraid to speak out about such, but we cannot keep quiet and let them continue living in our communities,” he said.
On Tuesday police said that three suspects have been arrested.
“The arrested suspects aged between 25 and 35 are due to appear in the Ixopo Magistrates Court tomorrow (Wednesday) facing murder, house robbery and rape charges,” said Major Thulani Zwane in a statement.
The three were found in possession of stolen property which were positively identified as property belonging to Sister Tiefenbacher, 86, Zwane said.
He said it was alleged that Tiefenbacher, known as Sister Stefani, was at her residence when she was approached by suspects who allegedly tied her hands with a typewriter cord on April 18. Her face was also covered with a towel, causing her to suffocate, he said.
Foreign currency was allegedly taken from Tiefenbacher’s room.
“It is also suspected that the victim was raped before she was killed,” Zwane said.
KZN Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the task team for their hard work that led to the arrest of the suspects.
“We believe that some of the missing goods will be recovered as the members are still investigating the matter. I also wish to thank members of the community who responded to my call and provided information to the police which aided in the arrest of the suspects. We hope that justice will be served and these thugs are imprisoned for a long time,” she said.
Daily News and ANA