ELovu man flees after allegedly fatally stabbing girlfriend in front of her 5-year-old daughter
THE deceased, Sinenhlanhla Mnqayi, 26, of eNseleni in the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast who was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend who has fled the eLovu area, south of Durban. Mnqayi died while trying to call the police.
Image: SUPPLIED
A man from eLovu, south of Durban, has gone on the run after allegedly killing his girlfriend, who relatives say had endured a long history of abuse at his hands.
Sinenhlanhla Mnqayi, 26, from eNseleni in KwaMbonambi on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, was stabbed to death in her rented room on Friday last week, according to a family member, Ntombi Cele.
Cele said the landlord alerted members of the community, who then contacted the police and the victim’s relatives.
“The incident happened in front of the deceased’s five-year-old daughter, whom she lived with,” said Cele.
She said Mnqayi sustained two stab wounds to her back and one to her chest.
“She died holding her cell phone. The last number she dialled was the police, which shows that she was trying to get help,” said Cele.
According to information relayed by the landlord, the couple had an argument around midday, which later appeared to have subsided. However, residents later heard noises from the room before everything went quiet, and the suspect was seen leaving the property.
“They said he later returned and stood by the gate, begging Sne to open for him. She eventually did, unaware that he was carrying the knife he would use to stab her,” said Cele.
She said Mnqayi’s relationship with her now-fugitive boyfriend began in 2024, and the abuse started soon thereafter.
“He would assault her on a whim. They fought regularly, and at times he became so violent that he would break windows,” said Cele.
Family members had repeatedly warned Mnqayi about the dangers of the relationship.
“She would say she loved him and could not leave him, explaining that she believed he would change,” said Cele.
After reviewing Mnqayi’s cellphone, the family realised the relationship had been turbulent and marked by frequent arguments.
“Some disputes were about his alleged infidelity. When Sne confronted him, he would threaten to assault her,” said Cele.
At times, the arguments reportedly centred on the suspect’s desire of having a child, which Mnqayi rejected due to concerns about his unstable financial situation. Cele added that the boyfriend would also occasionally demand money from the deceased.
Police are continuing with their investigation and are searching for the suspect.