Missing Noxolo Mthethwa (24) from Hammarsdale in Durban was found dead after she went missing on earlier this month.
Sadly, her body, which was burnt beyond recognition, was found on Wednesday, 20 August and her family received results on Saturday, 23 August confirming that the body was hers.
According to Noxolo’s sister Mabongi, the young mum of one left home to go drinking with her friends but didn’t come back home the next day.
She said they started to worry when they saw all her friends, but she hadn’t returned.
“We asked all her friends, and they told us they left her at the tavern, but they didn’t know where she went,” she said.
Mabongi said they searched for Noxolo with no luck.
“There was a body that was burnt beyond recognition in the Hammarsdale area a week ago. Nobody could see who it was and whether it was a woman or a man,” she said.
She said they did DNA tests and were informed on Saturday that they tested positive, confirming that the burnt body was Noxolo.
“It’s very painful that we found her dead and that she was killed in the most painful manner.”
“How does someone burn a woman until they are beyond recognition? We still had hope of finding her alive,” she said.
Mabongi said they’re preparing for Noxolo’s funeral, which will be held on Sunday, 31 August.
“All we want is for my sister to be buried in dignity. But as it’s now clear that she was killed, we want the cops to leave no stone unturned with this matter.
“We want the people or person behind her death to be caught and arrested. I believe that cops will do what is necessary in order for the killer to be brought to book,” she said.
Cops initially opened a missing persons case, but Mabongi reported to the police last week that someone called her and told her he had kidnapped Noxolo and demanded money from her in order to release her.
The case was therefore changed from missing persons case, and a kidnapping case was opened.
“I went to the police to report that someone called me and demanded money. The person claimed that they were with Noxolo,” said Mabongi.
KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said a case of kidnapping was opened at Mpumalanga SAPS for investigation following an incident in which a 24-year-old woman was allegedly kidnapped in Mpumalanga.
“Later the body of an unknown person, which was burnt beyond recognition, was found in Hammersdale and it has been confirmed that the body that was found is that of a 24-year-old woman who was reported missing,” he said.
