DURBAN - THE family of murdered Department of Correctional Services (DCS) warden Eunice Moloko, 50, described how they found her dead inside in the Leeuwkop prison facility in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Moloko was allegedly strangled and her body hidden inside her toilet located in her office. Blood stains were partially removed but her cellphone was not taken, arousing the family’s suspicions.
Her sister Patricia Matlala, who also works in DCS Leeuwkop, said Moloko was “brutally killed”.
Giving her account of the incident, Matlala said Moloko and her husband, who is also a prison warder at DCS Leeuwkop, had booked on duty on Tuesday. Matlala said her sister was supposed to have been safe in her own office.
“They raped and strangled her in the office. They had enough time to even clean the blood on the office floor and the walls, but there were still traces of blood everywhere. If prisoners murdered her, they would have taken her phone and later sold it,” Matlala said.
Family spokesperson the Reverend Peter Maruping said Moloko’s body was discovered after her husband forced his way into the Medium A: Covid-19 isolation site, where her body was discovered on the floor with her jacket covered with blood, and her head covered with a towel.
“The husband had to break the window of the office to gain access and search for his wife. The office key could not be found because they locked her inside after killing her.”
Maruping added Moloko had been working at the prison since 1998. He wanted a thorough investigation into her death.
“It was unacceptable to have a woman killed when gender-based violence and crime against women were being highlighted during Women’s Month,” Maruping said.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said his department was saddened and broken by the death of Moloko.
“The department is in the process of establishing the facts and circumstances that led to her death.
“This is a painfully disturbing incident. Our sincere condolences go to the family of our departed official. A case has already been opened with the SAPS.
“The department will ensure that this incident is probed to the fullest. We will not allow incidents that undermine security in our centres to prevail and harsh action will be taken against anyone involved in such,” said Nxumalo.
Midrand SAPS is investigating a case of murder.
Daily News