By Anita Dangazele
- A Durban businessman is accused of killing his young employee on Christmas Day and burying her body at his home.
- The murder of 21-year-old Ayabonga Mjilo highlights the ongoing fight against gender-based violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
A 37-year-old businessman from Inanda, north of Durban, is due to appear in the Durban magistrate’s court on Monday, 6 January. He is accused of kidnapping and murdering his 21-year-old employee, Ayabonga Mjilo, on Christmas Day.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said Ayabonga was last seen leaving a restaurant in Umhlanga with the man. “Police investigations revealed that the suspect, who was her manager, took her to his home in Amaotana, Inanda. The two argued, and he allegedly strangled her and buried her body in his yard,” he said.
The man was arrested on Saturday, 4 January. He faces charges of kidnapping, murder, and trying to hide the crime.
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli thanked the police for their work. “The ongoing violence against women and children is a serious problem holding back our society,” he said.
He also said Ayabonga’s murder shows how much work is needed to stop gender-based violence. “Violence against women goes against the values of Ubuntu and humanity. We must all work together to end it,” he said.
Ntuli urged community leaders and groups to help the government fight these crimes. He will attend the suspect’s court hearing to support Ayabonga’s family and call for justice.
Pictured above: Ayabonga Mjilo, 21, who went missing on 23 December 2024.
Source: Facebook
