Slain Eastern Cape woman sent messages saying she feared for her life — brother

Just days before businesswoman Zovuyo Mbana was found dead, she sent frantic messages on March 25 to her friends and family that she feared for her life. Mbana, 30, had shared her live location through the WhatsApp messaging app with her friends and family while meeting an acquaintance. One location pinged in Amalinda and another in Mdantsane, according to her brother, Sikhusele Mbana.

Mbana, who was reported missing over the weekend, was found dead on Monday, alongside the N6 near Kwetyana village, close to KuGompo City. Temoso Manemela, Aviwe Jilingise, Gladys Rethablile Ramodi and school principal George Jude Plaatjies appeared in the city’s magistrate’s court on Thursday, facing charges of murder, conspiracy to murder and defeating the ends of justice. Mbana, who co-owned a salon with Ramodi, was last seen leaving Malcomess Park in Southernwood together with a colleague, according to police.

“They left with her, and she sent messages to people that she was attending a business meeting … she managed to send live locations around 8pm that she didn’t trust where she was going,” Sikhusele said. “She [must have been] suspicious because she had never done so before.” Three suspects, two aged 30 and one aged 40, have been formally charged with kidnapping and murder.

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During the investigation, a fourth suspect was identified as the alleged mastermind who paid the others to commit the murder He said on Friday a case was opened with the police but they continued to look for her. Sikhulule said they heard on Monday that Mbana was dead. Mbana’s family, from Zadungeni Village in Ngcobo, was in the court gallery as the four accused made a brief appearance.

Their case was postponed to April 10 for a formal bail application. Provincial police spokesperson Brig Nobuntu Gantana said investigators conducted interviews to trace her last movements.

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