Siphelele Nketo
THE gruesome murder of Nokhansala Sidiki (75) was reported in the rural village of Zadungeni in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, on May 17.
The woman was allegedly taken from her home to a nearby stream where she was beaten with a plank and drowned. Her body was found naked next to the stream with bruises on the head and face, and strangulation marks on the neck.
The attack was reportedly linked to witchcraft as police Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, SAPS provincial commissioner in Eastern Cape condemned the act.
“This is a deeply disturbing attack on a vulnerable elderly woman. Accusing someone of witchcraft and taking the law into your own hands is not only illegal but inhuman,” Lieutenant General Ncata said.
He urged community leaders to help uproot mob justice.
Two female suspects (26 and 28) were arrested in connection with the murder and appeared in the Ngcobo Magistrate’s Court on May 20 and their case was remanded to May 25.
Meanwhile police announced the additional arrest of two women (28 and 35) on May 20. They are scheduled to appear in the Ngcobo Magistrate’s Court on May 22. Police anticipated more arrests since investigations are underway.
