Port Shepstone man on the run after decomposed body of missing teenager found at his cottage

A family in Port Shepstone is reeling dazed and grief-stricken after the body of their 18-year-old daughter was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition at a cottage, while the man who occupied the property has fled the area.

The body of Asithande Mkhuba, who was lesbian, was found on Sunday last week at a cottage in eZakhiweni village, Mkholombe, outside Port Shepstone after she went missing on New Year's Day. Police have launched a manhunt for the cottage occupant, who is suspected to be linked to the teenager’s death.

Asithande’s mother, Nomfundo Mkhuba, said her daughter was last seen on Thursday last week when she left home to visit friends. When she failed to return, the family began searching for her.

“On Monday, we received a call asking us to go to the mortuary to identify a body,” said Mkhuba. “We went there and confirmed it was our child.”

Mkhuba said the family suspects that Asithande was sexually assaulted before she was killed, as her pants and underwear were entangled at her feet.

“They killed her and abandoned her like that. I am in pain and still trying to process what happened,” she said.

A community policing forum (CPF) leader in the area, Bhakabhaka Somhlaba, said the grim discovery followed a report from community members who noticed a strong smell coming from the locked cottage.

“They were told to look through the window, and that’s when it was confirmed that there was a woman lying on the bed inside,” said Somhlaba.

“We went there and forced entry and immediately contacted the police.”

Somhlaba said the CPF questioned local drug users who were known to have been in the company of the deceased on New Year’s Day. One of them claimed Asithande had spent time with them but later left with another man.

“Another person said he saw her walking with a man who was holding her by the arm and carrying a machete, but at the time, according to the person, she did not appear to be in immediate distress,” Somhlaba said.

According to Somhlaba, the cottage where the body was found belongs to the same man who was allegedly seen with Asithande. One suspect was taken in for questioning after failing to give a clear account of events.

“The suspect claimed to have been in a relationship with her and said he left her at the cottage to buy food,” said Somhlaba.

“We believe more than one person may be involved.”

Women’s rights activist Nombuso Sibisi from Women of uMthwalume condemned the killing, describing it as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by young women.

“Men must respect women, and women must avoid drinking and smoking with men, it's dangerous,” said Sibisi.

Attempts to obtain comment from police were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE