WOMAN WITH DISABILITY BRUTALLY KILLED, BURNT

NHLANGANO – A wave of shock and grief has engulfed the village of Sibovu, following the brutal murder of 32-year-old woman who had a disability.

 The incident happened under Mahlalini Royal Kraal at Shiselweni II Constituency.

The horrific crime, which occurred on Monday afternoon, saw Lindokuhle Ndlovu murdered and partially burnt in her own home. Tragically, Ndlovu was alone at the time of the attack. Sources have confirmed to this publication that she was frequently left alone during the day, as her mother is a vendor in Nhlangano Town and her sister attends school.

Alone

“The deceased usually stayed alone during the day, with the rest of the family returning in the evening,” a source alleged.

This pattern of isolation has led to suspicions that the perpetrator may have been someone familiar with their routine.  “It might be someone who knew she was usually alone during the day,” the source suggested. The details of the crime are deeply disturbing. According to a source, Ndlovu was found with her hands and feet bound, her throat slit and her body partially burned.

Neighbours, alerted to the scene, managed to intervene before the two-room house was completely destroyed by fire.  “A neighbour, living some distance away, saw smoke coming from the two-room house,” the source relayed.

“The neighbour then called Lindokuhle’s mother and asked if she had instructed her daughter to burn something, as smoke was seen coming from inside the house. However, the mother told them she had not, and begged them to go and check what was burning.” Upon arrival, neighbours found the door locked, but the keys were outside. The house was filled with smoke.  “The neighbours broke windows in an attempt to extinguish the fire,” the source explained.  “They called Lindokuhle inside the house many times, but she did not respond. They continued to put out the fire until it was extinguished, at which point they entered the house and discovered she was lying down, her head was burned and her hands and feet were tied with a rope.”

The source further alleged that police and the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES) arrived, but the fire had already been extinguished.  “They were shocked to learn from the police that she had been murdered before being set alight,” the source stated.

“The police took photographs of the scene and instructed the family not to disturb it until the following morning, when they came to collect the deceased’s body.”  

No one was seen at the homestead during the incident, leaving the community reeling and fearful.

“They are devastated by this act,” the source said, adding that there is a suspicion that Ndlovu may have been raped before being set alight, possibly to destroy evidence.

Ndlovu’s sister, Sibonelo Khumalo, expressed the family’s utter devastation. “Everything inside the house was destroyed by fire, including her school books and exercise books, uniforms, leaving her only with the clothes she was wearing to school,” she told this publication.

Relatives confirmed that food, clothing, blankets, beds and numerous other household items were destroyed in the fire. Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the incident.

Shiselweni II Indvuna Yenkhundla (local administrator) Lucas Nzima described the situation at the homestead as ‘dire’.

However, he revealed that Social Welfare and Pasture Valley had provided the family with food and clothing. He urged anyone wishing to assist the family to contact Ndlovu’s mother, Nonhlanhla Joyce Mavuso, at 7638 0655.

It is worth noting that there were seven deaths as a result of fire and or arson in the past year, according to the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services.

Mysterious

Among those killed were a 44-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter, who were burnt into ashes by a mysterious fire while they were in their sleep.

The incident took place at Sigombeni, under Nkomiyahlaba Constituency in the Manzini Region.

It was said the 44-year-old woman, who was married as a second wife at her marital home, was living with her children (four) in a two-bedroom house whose construction had just been completed. The house was reportedly a stone’s throw away from the main home and its other rooms (sitting room and kitchen) were still empty.  On the day of the mysterious fire, it was said the woman was with her three-year-old daughter as the three others were attending a national event.

It was said the woman and her daughter were discovered burnt on their bed. It was said the family and community members were confused as to what could have caused the fire.

Another incident was that of a family which narrowly escaped a deadly attack after their home was set ablaze at Hosea. During the incident, a hail of bullets rained down on the two-bedroom house, narrowly missing the family of three: A husband, wife and their three-year-old child.

It was said this was a second attack as one of them was shot in the back, while on his way to attend a burning fire on his fields.

Quarrelled

In the previous incident, it was said he was shot by a group of men he had quarrelled with over a goat.

On the day, the family was said to have been woken up by sounds of several gunshots.

It was explained that when he went to the dining room of their two bedroom house, the attackers doused it with petrol through a window which they had broken.

At the time, it was said the house had been sprinkled with the petrol. It was stated that his wife had opened the window, trying to shout for help, but saw one person whom she identified as a neighbour, and she asked: “Why are you killing us?”

“I advised her to keep quiet so they can assume that we had been shot, but she continued and cried hysterically,” he said. Dlamini said her wife was able to identify the suspect as he was running away from a family dog that was charging at him.

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