Celani Sikhakhane
The girlfriend of the National Freedom Party (NFP) ward 17 candidate who was killed shortly before last month’s election has been arrested and charged with his murder.
Following the suspect’s arrest last Wednesday, one of Dumisani Qwabe’s relatives said they are in a state of shock.
“We were shocked when his girlfriend was arrested. We need answers because we initially thought his murder was politically motivated,” a relative said.
Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo confirmed that the suspect had been arrested and made her first court appearance on Thursday.
“She will appear in court on Wednesday 15 December for a formal bail application,” Naidoo said.
Qwabe’s body was found burnt beyond recognition inside his car in Pongola. Police preliminary investigations revealed that he was shot multiple times before being set alight inside his car.
NFP secretary general Canaan Mdletshe said that the suspect allegedly kept calling Qwabe on the day of his murder ensuring that he left his home.
Qwabe’s family members were able to identify him with his feet as they were the only parts of the body that were partly burnt.
DNA results confirmed that the remains that were found in the car were indeed his.
Despite such a horrific murder, Qwabe won his ward and the by-election is scheduled to take place on 2 February 2022.
