Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, welcomed the conviction and sentencing to four life terms of the four suspects arrested in the much publicised case of the murder of 20 year old Bongiwe Ninini on Saturday 18 July 2015, in Kwezi Park, Khayelitsha. The body of the young woman was discovered in an open drain not far from where she lived.
An intensive investigation into the case led to the swift arrest of three suspects between the ages of 19 and 21 from Site C, Khayelitsha, who appeared for the first time in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on the morning of 29 July 2015. Khayelitsha residents stood by police in their area and came forward with information to assist the SAPS with the investigation.
On Saturday 8 August 2015 community members marched to the Khayelitsha police station to hand over their grievances about crime in the areas of Site C and Site B in Khayelitsha, as the investigation continued. Regular patrols were conducted in the area to ensure that the neighbourhoods were safe. Guided by crime pattern analysis the police also embarked on Crime Prevention to curb criminal activities.
The case of Bongiwe Ninini was remanded to the High Court in Cape Town on 5 August 2016 with a total of four arrests having been made by police.
Today, 13 February 2017 the SAPS is welcoming the conviction and sentencing of the four suspects, which took place this morning in the Cape High Court. All four of the suspects arrested in the case were handed down a life sentence each.
The team of detectives who worked on the case are lauded for their thorough investigation to ensure the four convictions. As the SAPS worked closely with the community of Khayelitsha to reach this victory over heartless criminals, the community members are urged to continue to mobilise themselves into legitimate structures to continue making a difference on the crime front. The safety of communities is everyone’s responsibility and together we can ensure that our neighbourhoods are safe.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
