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Durban –
Relatives and friends of murdered University of KwaZulu-Natal medical student Simphiwe Mabele wept as intimate details of the crime scene were described in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Mabele, who was to graduate as a doctor in July this year, was found raped and murdered in her room at a student residence, St Hillier Court, in Umbilo on March 25.
Mabele’s family, eThekwini Community Church pastor and family friend Vusi Dube and dozens of students packed the courtroom for the bail hearing of the 26-year-old man charged with raping and killing her.
The man, who cannot be named until he pleads, said during his bail application on Wednesday that he had nothing to do with the murder.
Investigating officer, Warrant Officer Nhlanhla Mathagena testified how a partly clothed Mabele had been strangled to death by a person who used bare hands.
He said the force of the attack was evident from bruising on Mabele’s neck.
Her room was in disarray and her body was found covered with a duvet.
Mathagena said the man, who was a close friend of Mabele’s, confessed to his sisters and a taxi driver about the killing before he handed himself over at the KwaMakhuta police station.
“He told the taxi driver on the morning of the incident that he was going to see Mabele because she told him she had bad news for him.
“Later in the evening, he told the same taxi driver that he had killed her and was thinking of committing suicide. After he told his sisters, he went to the police.”
The policeman said he was opposed to bail because the man was a potential flight risk and could interfere with the police investigation.
He said the murder had caused tension between the family of the man and Mabela’s family as both families lived close to each other in Adams Mission.
“All the witnesses are known to the accused and there is a lot of anger about this murder, so his safety cannot be guaranteed. Mabele’s family is opposed to the accused being released on bail and they want justice.”
In his affidavit, the father of two young daughters denied he had committed the crimes. He would not divulge his defence.
Defence attorney Sandile Ngidi said his client would state that he had not intended to kill Mabele.
Mathagena replied that the man had not called for an ambulance or any other assistance after Mabele had been killed.
“He left the residence and went to Isipingo taxi rank and met with the taxi driver. If it was not intentional why did he not call for help to try to save her?”
The case was adjourned to Thursday for a decision on bail.
kamini.padayachee@inl.co.za
The Mercury
