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A 35-year-old man from Thaweni appeared in Mthontsasa Court on charges of allegedly murdering his 61-year-old girlfriend. This development followed a community-led effort that persuaded him to surrender to the police.
Philasande Silangwe, the suspect in the murder of Manyanya Elsie Nomvume, stunned his community by confessing to the crime. Despite allegations of continuous domestic violence against the victim, many community members initially found it hard to believe Silangwe could commit such an act. Sources revealed that Nomvume, who had separated from her husband, had been living at her birth home.
According to Silangwe’s confession, made first to the community and then to local police, the incident occurred after he and Nomvume spent time together. They reportedly argued when Nomvume expressed her desire to attend a local night vigil against Silangwe’s wishes to spend the night together. An autopsy revealed food lodged in the victim’s oesophagus but found no stab wounds, contradicting Silangwe’s claim that he used a spoon to commit the crime.
A close family relative, who wished to remain anonymous, clarified that the victim was fully clothed when her body was discovered, despite contrary rumors. “We need privacy as a family, and people must stop sharing baseless information. This is a very difficult time for us,” the relative stated.
The murder has instilled fear among the women of the village. “We had been living in fear of the unknown, not knowing who might be killing women among us. It could have been anyone, and we feared everyone. This act is tragic and unforgettable, but we are relieved that the person responsible has been found,” said one woman from the community.
As the case proceeds, the community remains shaken, grappling with the shock of the crime and the complexities of trust and safety within their midst.
