The quiet, sun-drenched streets of Mthwalume, a small village nestled along the KZN coastline, are now draped in a chilling silence. The laughter of children playing in the streets has been replaced by the hushed whispers of grief, and the vibrant colours of life have faded into a sombre palette of mourning. The reason? The brutal death of Mandisa Cele, a bright, 20-year-old matric pupil, who was found lifeless in her RDP home on Sunday, 28 July.
Mandisa's death has left behind a trail of sorrow and a haunting question: Why did no one intervene? Neighbours recounted hearing the couple's heated arguments, a familiar sound that had become a part of their daily routine. But this time, the screams were different, laced with a chilling desperation that should have alerted them to the impending tragedy.
"They told us the screams stopped around 5am. I think that was when she died," said Mandisa's aunt, Zamangubo Msabala, her voice heavy with grief. "They said Mandisa was found dead by a man who arrived at the RDP looking for the baby daddy. He then informed other people."
The details of Mandisa's death are both gruesome and heartbreaking. Her body, covered in blood, bore the marks of a brutal assault. The scene was so graphic that it left those who discovered her shaken and traumatised.
"We came and found her lying dead in her bedroom. There was blood all over the house, even outside," said Zamangubo, her words echoing the horror of the discovery. "She had multiple wounds on her body and was covered in blood."
Mandisa's death has sparked outrage and a sense of collective guilt within the community. Neighbours, who had grown accustomed to the couple's frequent arguments, now grapple with the weight of their inaction. They now understand that their silence, their acceptance of the violence as a normal occurrence, had contributed to the tragedy.
"It's sad now that Mandisa is dead. The two had a child together and Mandisa was doing matric. She was a bright pupil and good in accounting. She had a bright future ahead of her, but her life has been cut short," said Zamangubo, her voice cracking with emotion.
The news of Mandisa's death has also sent a wave of fear and anxiety through the community. The alleged perpetrator, Mandisa's baby daddy, has vanished, leaving behind a void of uncertainty and fear. The police have launched a manhunt for the suspect, but the community is left to grapple with the chilling reality that the perpetrator could be lurking among them.
"Residents feel bad Mandisa is dead and they didn't help her. We're all sad and hope police find the baby daddy and arrest him," added Zamangubo, her words reflecting the collective grief and fear that has gripped the community.
The police investigation into Mandisa's death is ongoing. The community of Mthwalume and South Africa at large are left to mourn the loss of a young life and to grapple with the devastating consequences of their silence.
