Siyavuya Mzantsi
THE half-naked body of a teenager was found in a communal toilet in Town Two, Khayelitsha, yesterday morning.
A resident who had gone to the toilet in the morning discovered Sinoxolo Mafevuka’s body and alerted the police. She was only 19.
Shocked SST Block residents said her face was covered with a jacket and her clothes were stuffed in a cistern.
The grim discovery comes a day after Shamonique Shawn-Dean Claasen, 11, was found in a relative’s home, under a bed, in a black bag that was tied with wire. The little girl had gone missing from her Paarl home at the weekend.
In July, Site C resident Bongiwe Ninini’s half-naked body was found in a drain near Kwezi Park in Khayelitsha after she was allegedly raped following a night out with friends. Four men were arrested in connection with the 20-year-old’s death.
Mafevuka’s distraught sister-in-law, Iminathi, was on her way to the toilets, situated about 100m from her shack, when she saw people and the police gathered around the toilets. It was only then that she realised it was Mafevuka.
“I did not know what was happening. I was just going to the toilet. I saw her clothes and I knew something wrong had happened to her. I did not see her. I only saw her clothes,” said Iminathi.
Iminathi said she had last seen Mafevuka on Tuesday at about 7.45pm and was under the impression she had gone to visit her boyfriend.
Mafevuka’s best friend, Asiphe Mbengo, said she was left shaken and heartbroken by the killing. “I can’t believe this has happened to her.
“Her sister-in-law told me to come by the toilets. I did not expect to see her dead,” she said.
Mafevuka’s neighbours said there had been similar incidents in the past, but in most cases the victims were not from that area.
Community leader Mzukisi Ngethu said: “This makes us feel not safe. It means even the younger children are not safe. These toilets are not safe because they are not locked.”
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said a murder docket had been opened for investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Cornelius van Niekerk at Harare police station on 021 363 9000 or CrimeStop on 08600 10111.