PHOTO: Wellington Makwakwa
WHEN Londi Zinyanga (19) returned home, she was surprised when people ran from her screaming because they thought she was dead.
An uMkhobose mother was overwhelmed when her ‘dead’ daughter returned home last Thursday.
Nomusa Tshabalala believed her daughter had died after she disappeared on 2 January.
She believed that she had been abducted by a man who practised black magic.
Londi Zinyanga (19) left home to go to the shops and never returned. Her frail mother said she got worried when days passed without any information.
‘Normally, when she goes away she would phone and inform us, but this time there was no news. I got worried,’ said Tshabalala.
In March, a body identical to Zinyanga was found in a dustbin in Durban. Sthembiso Shozi of Operation Sukuma Sakhe in uThungulu, ward 16 Councillor Nonhlanhla Cele and the district Chaplain Rev Hlengwa assisted the family and transported the body to Durban but they disagreed on the body’s identity.
At that time, neighbours were collecting money for the funeral.
‘We went to Gale Street mortuary in Durban. Some said it was the right body, but her sister was adamant is was not her. We came back without the body, but days later, the family now said they believed the body was the right one,’ said Councillor Cele.
Londi told the Zululand Observer that she went away with her boyfriend and confirmed that he practised ‘black magic’.
‘I stayed with him in Durban, but he was abusive so I ran away. I met some people who helped me and I stayed with them. I didn’t have money to come back home and my boyfriend had taken my cellphone,’ said Londi.
‘When I came back, I was just confused why people were running away from me, until I heard that they all thought I was dead. I am happy to be home.’ she said.
I Am sure she could borrow a cellphone from someone to phone her family. To disappear in Jan and only return in April makes me believe that she wanted her family not to know where she is!!!!!! Unacceptable, especially knowing her mother is frail. She could have made a plan to let her know!!!! And all that money wasted to go down to Durban to identify the body??? (Probably a family that cannot afford it). Youngsters of today, just have no consideration!!!!!!!
What happened to DNA testing on the DB that was at the Gale St Mortuary? Surely it’s a basic thing to do to ensure that a family receives the correct body if it’s mutilated or unrecognizable for any other reason. Shame on the state….