Dalphine Tagwireyi
Medical student Mthunzi Wiseman Zwane and a friend were on their way home when they were involved in a head-on collision near Breyten, Mpumalanga.
When he didn’t come home that night, on Sunday 3 July, his family reported him missing.
His friend and the two occupants from the other car were taken to hospital – but there was no trace of 26-year-old Mthunzi at the scene of the accident.
His body was found three days later 100 km away in the Nhlazatshe river. The body was riddled with multiple stab wounds.
Family spokesperson Ernest Zwane told Scrolla.Africa they need to know how their son travelled from the accident scene to the river.
“We are in pain. He was a go-getter and dedicated his life to saving others,” said Zwane.
“He was about to complete his studies and serve his community to ease the shortage of medical personnel but he was killed by heartless people.”
In 2015, Mthunzi got a scholarship to study medicine in Cuba. He came home in July 2021 and was doing his clinical training at the University of the Free State.
“He was supposed to complete his studies in three months, but the thugs in our community murdered him,” he said.
A resident from Elukwatini said successful young people in their community are being targeted. In May a young graphic designer was also found brutally murdered.
“Successful children are not safe in our community as some elements are driven by jealousy. What has happened to Mthunzi is heartbreaking. He was always available to assist and he was joyful,” she said.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said they received a missing person’s report on 3 July. They followed leads which led them to the Nhlazatshe river and Mthunzi’s body.
“One suspect has been apprehended and he will appear at the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court on 11 July. We are still continuing with our investigations as more suspects will be arrested,” he said.
