Five suspects accused of Kidnapping and Murdering a Bizana Village student appeared at Bizana Magistrate court on the 14th of November 2022.
The alleged killers of Ntlakanipho Rafana (21), appeared before the Bizana Magistrate Court on accounts of kidnap and murder. Three of the suspects opted for their own lawyer while the other two decided to represent themselves in court. The state prosecutor asked the court to adjourn until the 22nd of November for a formal bail hearing; suspects are to remain behind bars.
A student from Bizana Village Senior Secondary School, who’s name has been held for their protection declared their general fear and constant lack of safety amongst students.
“Ntlakanipho was found a long time after his abduction, that says a lot about Police incompetency. The school personnel side-lines this matter, it was never announced to the school. Police would come, but the headmaster chose to run away. We are attending the case, there is not a single representation from the school’s employees. Ntlakanipho reported a case of assault to the police, where his ex-girlfriend beat his girlfriend to the point of a miscarriage but received no help.
We want to know why teachers want nothing to do with this, we want more police patrol in our areas and counselling for students, they are traumatised too.”
The ANCYL and South African Youth Council (SAYC) protested alongside students outside the court and called for the state to keep the culprits behind bars until everyone involved is found.
“We do not want them to make bail, they have proven to be resourceful. They abducted the kid using a car and being in possession of a firearm. Our delegates want to work with the government departments including the school and SAPS, this will help with engagement and accountability for such cases. The SAPS in Bizana should expand their patrol, this is not a small town anymore. Three patrol cars are not enough to cover this area.” Said Hadge Smith of SAYC.
Pondoland Times visited Bizana Village, where the headmaster, Mr Pepu extremely refused to comment on the matter when asked about the student and told the paper to go to the police station for any information relating to the matter. He said this rushing to his office, declining to talk about the deceased.
Bizana is no stranger to student brutality. In 2017, a disabled student (Mute), Aphiwe Msexi, 10 from Vukuzenzele Special School was allegedly raped at the school. A case was reported but the school disputed the claims, the child was then sent to the hospital where it was declared that he was indeed raped. In 2018, they boy was found dead inside a school bus, the mother was told by the school that the child died of natural causes as he entered the bus. The police then turned the mother away, claiming it is a state matter. On the latter, the forensic report results showed the student had been strangled but no arrests have been made to date.
