The family of Sibongiseni Gabada who was brutally murdered and stuffed into a small bag two weeks ago, are pleading with the justice system to do everything in its power to put the person responsible for her death, behind bars.
It is alleged that the 36-year-old, who was laid to rest at Khayelitsha cemetery yesterday, had been killed and chopped into pieces by her boyfriend.
Sibongiseni’s decomposing body was discovered in a bag hidden under wooden planks next to her boyfriend’s shack at H Section in Khayelitsha.
Her boyfriend has since been arrested and charged with her murder.
When Vukani visited the Gabada family home in F Section, last Sunday, relatives had gathered to share their memories of times they had shared with Sibongiseni.
Her younger sister, Nomathamsanqa Gabada, 26, said her sister usually visited them two or three times a week, which is why they became concerned when they hadn’t heard from her for about a week.
She then decided to go to where her sister lived at Qadu-Qadu informal settlement next to H Section to look for her. But she could not find her and even her friends had no idea about her whereabouts.
The next day, at about 9pm, she received the shocking news that Sibongiseni’s body had been found.
Immediately, she said, they rushed to identify her body. But once there, they were confronted with the gruesome scene.
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The family was angry and in pain, she said, and wanted the accused to face “the wrath of the law”.
She said the man had allegedly informed police officers that he had left her alive on his shack and when he returned days later, he found her dead.
“Instead of informing police officers, he stuffed her into a bag. “I was shocked when he was released by the cops after sharing such incriminating evidence, claiming that they do not have enough evidence to charge or prosecute him. He was only arrested again after we contacted certain people,” she claimed.
“The justice system is falling us. But if she was dead when he found her why then must he move the body, is that not a crime on its own?”
Ms Gadaba said her sister had been a helpful, people’s person who was loved by many. She described her as a caring and loving human being who loved to see others succeed in life.
She said her sister once worked for popular show Zola7 presented by well-known actor and musician Bonginkosi Dlamini who is known as Zola. Sibongiseni’s grandmother, Mavis Nondali Gabada said she had raised her and that no parents wanted to lose their children so violently – or bury their children.
She said it would take time for her to really accept that her loving granddaughter was gone.
She said Sibongiseni’s body was too damaged for forensic workers to establish the cause of death.
Lingelethu police station spokesperson, Sergeant Xoliswa Nyalambisa, confirmed that Sibongiseni’s boyfriend had been arrested on charges of murder and had appeared at Khayelitsha Court last Monday. He is being held at Pollsmoor prison and is due back in court on Wednesday July 15.