The deceased, Noxolo Gumede, from Shakashead on the North Coast, died a few weeks after withdrawing an assault case against the father of her child. Her family suspect she was poisoned and the suspect has fled his rented property and is believed to be back in eSwatini.
Image: SUPPLIED
THE family of a deceased woman from Shakashead, KwaDukuza, is calling on police to track down and arrest the father of her child amid allegations that he poisoned her.
Noxolo Gumede, 29, who was laid to rest last weekend, died at General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital, formerly known as Stanger Hospital, in the middle of last month.
The deceased's grandmother, Thandeka Ngidi, said the family decided to seek justice after the suspect allegedly moved out of his rented accommodation in the area shortly after the funeral.
Recounting the events leading up to Gumede's death, Ngidi said the ordeal began in April when the deceased and the suspect were involved in an argument that turned physical.
"After the argument, Noxolo immediately went to the police to open a case and also approached the court for a protection order against the suspect. The court date was on April 21, and when they appeared, he showed remorse, told the magistrate he would change his ways and pleaded with her to withdraw the case," said Ngidi.
She said Gumede subsequently withdrew the case after the court warned the suspect that any further assault would result in his immediate arrest.
Ngidi said that on April 25, the suspect contacted Gumede and begged her to visit him so he could demonstrate how remorseful he was.
"She went there. We were later told that he asked her to sit down and rest while he prepared food," said Ngidi.
Gumede remained at the suspect's rented accommodation until April 27. When she returned home, she complained of stomach pains resembling severe menstrual cramps.
"She went to work on April 28 but returned early, saying she had fainted. She was vomiting and suffering from diarrhoea," said Ngidi.
The family took her to a local clinic, where she received treatment before being discharged.
Ngidi said it was only on May 6 that Gumede confided to the family that she suspected her baby's father had poisoned her food.
"She phoned him and asked why he was doing such a painful thing to her. He replied that he was teaching her a lesson about people and then hung up. I heard his response because the phone was on speaker," she alleged.
According to Ngidi, the family rushed Gumede to hospital on May 8 when her condition deteriorated significantly.
"Her eyes had turned yellow and she was speaking incoherently. It became clear that something was seriously wrong," she said.
Gumede died on May 12.
"Before she passed away, doctors had already told us she was unlikely to survive. They explained that she had ingested poison which had severely damaged her liver and later affected her brain, which was why she appeared mentally confused," alleged Ngidi.
Following the funeral, the family learnt from neighbours that the suspect had allegedly removed all his belongings from the property and disappeared.
Ngidi described the relationship between the couple as abusive, claiming Gumede was regularly assaulted by the suspect, with whom she shared a four-year-old child.
She said the family knew the suspect was originally from eSwatini but did not believe he had left the country because he was unemployed and facing financial difficulties.
"He apologised in court and claimed he regretted assaulting her. He said he had changed, but that was clearly not true," said Ngidi.
"We believe he never forgave her for opening a case against him. It appears he pretended to be remorseful to gain her trust and lure her back."
Ngidi said the family hopes police will conduct a thorough investigation, locate the suspect and bring him before the courts.
"I want him to explain why he hurt my granddaughter so badly. I want him to explain what poison he gave her. And I want him to tell me what I should say to their child, who has started asking where his parents are," she said.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed that KwaDukuza police have opened a case following the death of a 29-year-old woman.
"The investigation into the cause of her death is ongoing," said Netshiunda.
For more from the Sunday Tribune, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X