Grieving grandmother seeks justice for son-in-law killed in front of daughter

A grandmother from the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal wants justice for her son-in-law who was killed in front of his six-year-old daughter.

Doctor Ngaka Mphuthi, 33, was killed on Saturday evening outside his home in Shakas Head.

Mphuthi's mother-in-law, Lorraine Dhavasiam, said she wants justice for Mphuthi, who was a cladding specialist and had been managing a car wash.

"He lost his life for trying to help people. He was stabbed and lay on the ground bleeding profusely. We heard my granddaughter, Angela, screaming 'Ma they are hitting my father' ".

Dhavasiam said the suspect was seen allegedly carrying a dagger and a bloodied sickle before running away.

"Earlier on Saturday Doctor was walking with his daughter to a local store when he was assaulted by a loan shark. Doctor had helped a couple in financial problems, who were renting on the property, to secure a loan from a loan shark. The loan shark confronted Doctor because the couple owed him R750.

"When Doctor returned home he told the wife to remind her husband to pay back the money. She became aggressive and swore at him. When her husband returned later that afternoon, she complained to him about Doctor. Doctor had just gone outside for something when he was attacked and killed," said Dhavasiam.

She said Mphuthi was taken to a clinic in Tongaat, but was declared dead.

Dhavasiam said her granddaughter, Angela, was now orphaned.

"My daughter, Tansyn, died in 2020 after taking ill. Angela was only 11 months old when her mum died. Doctor was hands-on. He was a doting dad who did everything for his little girl.

"Angela was hysterical to see her dad lying on the ground with so much blood. We just want those responsible for taking Doctor's life to face the law and pay for what they did," she said.

Mphuthi's funeral, which has not been finalised, will take place at his family home in the Free State.

Prem Balram of Reaction Unit South Africa said after circulating photos of the alleged suspects, they received tip offs of their whereabouts.

"Reaction Officers tracked the alleged suspects to a home in Shakas Head. Reaction Officers arrested a woman and her husband was found hiding under a large pile of clothing on a bedroom floor. He resisted arrest and was eventually restrained," said Balram.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said Umhlali police were investigating a case of murder following an incident where a man was allegedly stabbed at Shakas Head.

He said two people, believed to be suspects in the matter, were brought to the police station.

"However, nothing links them to the crime thus far and they have not been charged. Police investigations continue," said Netshiunda.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE