Young Mom, Found Raped and Murdered, and There’s More to It!

A 21-year-old mother was reportedly raped and murdered after she left a party that was organized by her friend. Her body was found partly burnt, and a bottle stuffed in her mouth.

Zanele Sandlana from South Africa was last seen by her mother, Nomawethu Sandlana, on Saturday morning when she left their home to attend a party on the invitation of her friend at her home.

On Sunday, after the family had not heard from her, they decided to contact the police. The next day, Monday, September 4, Zanele’s family opened a missing person’s case with authorities.

Officers contacted her mother later that day and informed her that a body which fitted the description of her daughter had been found.

The 21-year-old’s family received information from her friends who were at the party with her that the deceased left the party early morning on Sunday.

Zanele’s body was found on Monday in an open field in Lingelethu West, among rubbish, face down, and murdered - apparently raped. Her lifeless body was without clothes except for a bra and footwear.

Parts of the young mother’s body were burnt and a bottle stuffed in her mouth leaving her little daughter, aged 2, an orphan; the child’s father had passed on last year.

A spokesperson for the police Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed the incident and told reporters that authorities were investigating a murder case.

Officers brought in a man, 28, for interrogation but later released him because of lack of evidence, Rwexana said. According to her, the case was ‘in the sensitive stages of investigation’ and therefore couldn’t say much about the inquiries.

 

According to Zanele’s friend, Zahania, she last saw the deceased at about 4 a.m. when she took her leave from the party. She said she thought her friend had gone home until she received a text message from her mother on Monday morning.

She described Zanele as her light and the best of friends. ‘It’s like I have lost a part of me. It kills me to hear the way she died.’

Zahania added, ‘I really want justice to be served for my friend. She was someone who liked laughing. I feel like I should not have allowed her to leave.’