32-year-old Siphokazi Khumalo was attacked with a knife by her ex-boyfriend in the bathroom of the Ballito Junction Regional Mall on Wednesday evening, October 18. Khumalo was later found lying in a pool of blood in a bathroom cubicle. One of her arms lay stretched across her face‚ exposing the knife wound which stretched across her neck from ear to ear. It was gathered that the man, who is yet to be named had an altercation with Khumalo and pursued her as she fled into a bathroom.
A shop attendant who works at an outlet store near the restroom‚ who spoke to TimesLIVE on condition of anonymity‚ said that screams had drawn her attention as she was collating the day’s takings. “I was doing cash up and all of a sudden I heard ladies screaming. The women came running out of the bathroom and they were all just screaming‚” she said. She said that they were followed by Khumalo’s alleged attacker‚ who walked out casually.
“He just walked out and I noticed him because he was so well dressed. It is like he had no emotion at all. He came outside and just held his arms out in front of him like he wanted to be handcuffed and he didn’t care‚” the shop attendant said. The suspect, 30, was apprehended by two members of the public before police arrived at the scene and arrested him. He appeared in court on Friday. Police spokeswoman Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said that detectives had registered a case of murder and that the motive for the woman’s slaying was unknown. “The woman was working at one of the shops there at the Ballito Junction mall. It’s alleged the suspect followed her as she went to the restroom and that’s where the suspect attacked her,” said police spokesperson, Thembeka Mbhele.
“A 30-year-old suspect was arrested and will appear in court soon. The motive for her killing is unknown‚” she added. The Turn ‘n Tender restaurant, where she worked until her death, released a statement on its Facebook page, saying its deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Khumalo. Management says Khumalo was a beautiful and caring spirit who will be missed. In a statement‚ the owners and management of Ballito Junction Regional Mall extended their condolences. “The care and concern for the victim that has been and continues to be expressed from the community‚ as well as from tenants and shoppers is uplifting and heart-warming. “We remain hugely grateful to the emergency services‚ the SAPS‚ security staff and members of the public who reacted immediately to this tragic incident with professionalism and sensitivity‚” the statement read.
The woman’s colleagues, customers, family and friends have described her as someone who always went the extra mile. Family and friends have also said on social media how they’ve been left devastated by Khumalo’s death. Paramedics who attended the scene say Khumalo, who had been a waitress at the restaurant, sustained critical injuries and was declared dead at the scene.
Source: News agencies
