KwaXimba family mourns slain teen, suspects killer was known to him

The family of 19-year-old Sibongimpilo “Shanah” Mzobe from Number 9 in KwaXimba near Cato Ridge is mourning his brutal killing and believes the person responsible may have been someone he knew personally.

Mzobe’s body was discovered on Sunday in a nearby river by community members, who alerted the police. The circumstances surrounding his death have left the family traumatised and searching for answers.

His mother, Nelisiwe Mzobe, said her son returned home in the early hours of the morning.

“He came back home around 3am, went into the common bedroom, changed his clothes and put on his aunt’s pinafore,” she said.

According to Mzobe, her son stood at the door speaking to his aunt when someone outside called out his name.

He replied and said, ‘I am coming, okay,’ said his mom, adding that this response made the family believe he recognised the person.

The following morning, his aunt went to check on him but could not find him.

“When she went outside, she noticed people and police officers gathered near the bridge by the river below our homestead. A neighbour then asked her if she knew what was happening, and they went down there,” said Mzobe.

It was there that the family realised what had happened.

Mzobe said her son’s body was covered with a throw he usually used when sleeping in an outside bedroom. Some items of clothing believed to belong to him were later found caught in the bridge’s rails. His body was eventually retrieved from the river by police.

Sibongimpilo, who was openly gay, was found with his genitals mutilated, one arm twisted and bruising on his back, suggesting he had been dragged.

“We suspect he was attacked in the bedroom where he usually slept. The attacker then wrapped him, dragged him and threw him into the river,” said Mzobe.

She believes the killer was known to her son.

“He was such a coward. If it had been someone he didn’t know, he would have screamed and ran into the common bedroom,” she said.

Mzobe also revealed that the family recently discovered social media messages on her son’s phone dating back to November last year. The messages were from an unidentified individual who repeatedly asked to meet him at the same bridge where his body was later found.

“Sibongimpilo refused many times. He told the person to come to our home instead because he was afraid to go to the bridge, saying the person might shoot his private parts,” she said.

The family now finds this especially disturbing given the injuries found on his body.

The social media profile allegedly did not display a clear photograph, showing only an image of a local school uniform.

Describing her son as outgoing and well known in the community, Mzobe said he often faced insults from local men because of his sexuality.

“His response would be, ‘By day you swear at me, but at night you want me,’” she said.

The family has urged police to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Police had not responded to media enquiries at the time of publication.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE