By Khanyisa Khenese
Following the discovery of the burnt body of 19-year-old Kungawo Nyhweba in Makhanda last week, three suspects have been apprehended and appeared in court while the fourth one is suspected to have committed suicide.
Police confirmed this week that the 46-year-old man, a caretaker at an Alice school, was found dead in Indwe. Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, said an inquest docket has been opened and an investigation is underway.
Mawisa also stated that Xolani Gotyi, 34, his girlfriend and the dead caretaker’s wife, have appeared in court. The trio has been charged with the kidnapping and murder of Nyhweba.
She went missing earlier this month after she was allegedly taken from her home by her ex-boyfriend and teacher, Gotyi, as well his friend, the school’s caretaker and their two female partners.
Mawisa said Nyhweba was reported missing to the police on Monday, 8 July. She had been missing since Friday, 5 July. Upon investigation, police received information that her ex-boyfriend and his friend allegedly kidnapped her.
Her charred remains were discovered by police last week in an open field near initiation huts in Joza township after a strenuous six-day search.
On Thursday last week, her family and Makhanda community members gathered and held a prayer session at the site to mourn her death.
The brutal murder sent shockwaves throughout the community of Alice and Makhanda.
The family said they are yet to bury Nyhweba as they are still waiting for a pathologist to conduct DNA tests.
Meanwhile, the three suspects remain in custody until they appear again in court on Monday, 22 July.
