The mother of 22-year-old Uluntu Stuurman, whose head was discovered 3km away from her body, finds herself at a loss for words after her daughter’s ex-boyfriend was charged for the murder.
Stuurman, from Upper Indwana village in Cala, had hid in the nearby village of Tsengiwe before the murder.
Mabhuti Mbili, 35, and a 21-year-old, who was later released without being charged, were arrested on Sunday.
Mbili appeared in the Cala magistrate’s court on Tuesday afternoon on a charge of murder.
He has been remanded for a possible bail application on May 27.
On Wednesday last week, Stuurman’s headless body was discovered in the Ndaba mountains of Tsengiwe by a shepherd.
Her head was found later after an extensive search.
Local traditional leader Inkosi Bhekisizwe Ngaleka said Stuurman’s mother had been undergoing counselling and was not in the right state of mind to speak to anyone.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ngaleka said: “Uluntu’s mother was worried when she couldn’t get hold of her. When her body was found, people in the village then started to connect the dots.
“People are still shocked that they did not suspect anything.
“When we were told to go and check the body, her mother immediately recognised her.
“We are very hurt as a village now that this has happened. This area is now on the map over something as brutal as this.
“It is more painful for the family because they are a poor family.
“Her mother is mostly in town searching for work.
“We’ve also been struggling to even bury her [Stuurman].”
Stuurman will be laid to rest on Wednesday.
Mbuyekezi Mpila Mbinda funeral undertakers have offered to bury Stuurman for free.
Mbili’s family has also offered to help with the funeral arrangements.
“We visited the ex-boyfriend’s family and they were also traumatised.
“They came today to show compassion.”
On Tuesday afternoon, various non-government organisations, including Sakhisizwe local municipality mayor Boniswa Ponoshe visited Stuurman’s family.
GBV activist Petros Majola, who also visited the family in Cala, condemned the incident.
“I ask God to give men a heart that listens and a healthy conscience to stop such incidents.”
DispatchLIVE
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