Tears filled the Bellville Magistrates Court on Wednesday as proceedings began in the murder case of 25-year-old Entle Manzi, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend in Parow Valley in the early hours of Monday morning.
Manzi had visited Mihlali Tuoane, 24, at his residence in Parow Valley, where he allegedly assaulted and killed her with a knife.
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Tuoane was arrested on Tuesday, 31 March, on a charge of murder and made his first court appearance on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg explained: “Parow police registered a murder case for investigation following a stabbing incident on Monday, 30 March 2026, at about 12.25am, in Mark Street, Parow Valley, where a female was stabbed and fatally injured.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. We can confirm that a 24-year-old male was arrested in connection with the murder on Tuesday, 30 March 2026.”
According to Manzi’s father, Bekisizwe Manzi from Kuils River, he never met Tuoane before and only saw him for the first time in the dock.
The dad explained: “I was at work when I received a call from the manager of my daughter’s workplace who said that the detective is looking for her parents, this was after 11am.
“Police found her work tag at the scene. Apparently she and the boyfriend work at the same place.
“When I asked the manager why the detective was looking for me, he said they couldn’t tell me anything. I have to wait for the call.
“[He was] her first boyfriend but I never met him. As a father I did not want to meet him but he met her mother.
“This incident killed all of us as a family. This is going to affect us for the rest of our lives. She was our eldest daughter.”
The father said he does not have trust in the justice system and that the incident took place just days before his daughter’s birthday on Friday.
He added: “I am angry even before this case because I have seen this happening and you cry with families of other victims until one day it happens to you. Unfortunately, I am one of the victims today.
“The justice system is failing us, no one fears going to jail. Criminals seem to have more rights than us but you won’t understand it unless it happens to you. I will never be the same again.”
The courtroom was packed with friends, family and supporters of the victim on Wednesday when Tuoane appeared.
Details of what transpired on the night Manzi was killed emerged, with neighbours reportedly hearing screams before seeing Tuoane jumping through the window and fleeing from the scene.
Manzi was declared dead by medical personnel with the knife found at the scene.
The defence is alleging that the murder was self-defence.
During the court proceedings, Tuoane showed the magistrate his alleged defensive stab wounds on his hands, wrist and thigh which upset those in attendance who said, ‘Tuoane is playing the victim’.
One woman got up and left saying: “I cannot watch this”.
Manzi’s father broke down during the proceedings, shouting ‘f***f’ repeatedly causing everyone else to break down and cry.
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He was escorted out of the court room.
The matter was postponed to 2 April 2026 for bail application. Tuoane will remain in custody.
