Family want justice and closure for the murder of Nkosikhona

Lungi Langa

The family of Nkosikhona Zondo, a woman whose body was discovered burnt beyond recognition in a sugar cane farm in Eston believes she was lured by a man who promised her a job.

The charred body of Nkosikhona Zondo (27) was discovered by Redlands farm workers on the eve of Woman’s Day around 12pm.

It is believed that the mother of one might have been shot and then necklaced. A cartridge was found where her body was. And remains of what seem like tyre wires were found around her neck.

Her sister, Gugu Zondo (29) who resides in KwaNongoma said she had spoken to Nkosikhona on the phone before she disappeared.

“We spoke on Thursday when she called to tell me about the job offer. Nkosikhona did not say what kind of job it was but was excited about it.

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“She even said the people had called her asking her clothing size because she thought this might be for the work uniform. She said she would meet the man and start work on Monday.

“Then she said she would call later on the day to update me, but we never head from her again after that,” said Zondo.

She said her sister was hard working and determined. Gugu already had a job at Chinese shop but she was hoping that the new one would pay her better.

Zondo explained that her sister was loved by many people and had a bubbly personality. They do not understand why anyone would gruesomely murder her.

While they are still waiting for DNA results to come back they have already started making arrangements for the funeral as they were able to prove that deceased is their sister.

The discovery of her body shocked the small farming community where the body was found. Chris Sama, a foreman at the farm said he still couldn’t get the picture of her burnt body out of his mind.

He said they believe she might have been shot and necklaced as the body was mostly burnt on the head and the neck was laced with what seemed like wires of from a tyre. He said a burnt R50 note and a cartridge was later discovered where the body was found.

“It could be that she was shot, killed and burnt, I don’t know. We are still in shock and cannot forget what we saw that day.

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“I just wish to meet her family. I want to ask them to show us a picture of her when she was alive. This is because I can’t get the picture of her burnt body out of my mind. I see it every night whenever I close my eyes I see it,” said Sama.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza has called on men to protect vulnerable groups in their communities.

“It is very painful that desperate women die like this after being lured by being promised jobs. It is sad that the heartless criminal continues to rob and kill unsuspecting women.

“We are shocked by the brutality shown to this young innocent woman,” she said. Khoza urged women to be cautious of job offers that puts their lives at risk. She urged that they should avoid meeting potential employers in secluded places.

She also called on the police to intensify their investigation as the perpetrators were right under their nose.

Police spokeswoman, Lt Col Nqobile Gwala confirmed that the police are investigating a case of murder.

“A case of murder is investigated by Mid Illovo after a body of a 27-year-old woman was found burnt in the sugarcane plantation in Eston on 8 August 2022.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” said Gwala.