Everson Luhanga
After being missing for 12 days, Elda Xaba wished to see her son back, alive or dead.
But Thulasizwe Fortune Xaba was found killed and dumped in a small stream in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni.
His two killers were arrested and found guilty of his murder on 25 May. The judge sentenced the two men to five years for kidnapping, and 20 years for murder.
Elda said her son’s killers didn’t admit to killing Thulasizwe until the last day in court. During mitigation, they apologised to her and her family: “We are sorry. We were drunk.”
“If it were not for us, Thulasizwe would still be alive today,” one of the two suspects told the court on Tuesday.
Elda said the suspects’ apology did nothing to heal her as the damage caused in her family will not easily be healed. “He was the father to his siblings and provided for everyone.
“His love for his family is something we have been missing since he died,” said Elda.
Detective Sergeant Malesela Dan Moloantoa, who investigated the case, said the two suspects kidnapped and murdered the victim after he scratched the car the suspects were driving.
“One of the convicted told the court that Thulasizwe pleaded with them asking them to pay for all the damage he caused by scratching the car, but they didn’t listen to him,” said Sergeant Moloantoa.
He said one suspect drove Thulasizwe’s car while the other drove the scratched car.
“They abandoned Thulasizwe’s car near Rabie Ridge police station and drove in their car after dumping his body in a stream.
“During the trial, the men did not admit to killing Thulasizwe until evidence placed them on the crime scene and they were convicted,” he said.
Elda commended the hard work of the police in bringing the suspects to trial.
“For me, there is law and order in this country. They are police officers who are passionate and are in the force to do their job. I will forever be grateful for the service I received,” she said.
