The hashtag #JusticeForZintleTakane has gone viral on social media, calling for justice for the murder of the 24-year-old Eastern Cape woman, Zintle Takane. She was allegedly murdered by her lover after she went missing with him on Friday.
Reports say Takane was with her boyfriend at Mike Valley in Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape, before she went missing. Her body was later found in a shallow grave.
According to the deceased’s friend, Xoli Mana, they searched for her and asked the suspect, but he kept misleading them.
“This is my beautiful friend, whose life was cut short by a man on Friday, May 31, 2024, and then he buried her. He then kept sending us back and forth while we were trying to find her. [While he was] completely aware of what he had done to her,” said Mana.
Mana stated that she will not keep quiet until the suspect is arrested and pays for his senseless actions.
Reported missing on Friday
“I want him to burn. He buried her! What gave him the right? I feel sick, I’m upset, I am disgusted. [As a result], I will not keep quiet until I see his end,” she added.
Meanwhile, police in Fort Beaufort confirmed that Takane, 24, was reported as missing on Friday.
“Ms Takane was last seen on Friday at about 21:00 with her boyfriend at Mike Valley, Fort Beaufort.
“It is alleged that she left with her boyfriend in his white Mercedes-Benz. That was the last time anyone had seen or heard from her,” said Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa.
Mawisa said Takane’s boyfriend could also not be traced.
Boyfriend missing
“Anyone with information concerning [his] whereabouts or assist the police in tracing her boyfriend, [is urged] to contact the investigating officer. Det-Const Siphosoxolo Luvatsha can be contacted on 066 320 6084 or SAPS Fort Beaufort on 046 645 1133. Alternatively, our SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600-10111. All information is confidential, and callers may remain anonymous.”
Takane’s killing follows the murder of a municipality employee, Namhla Mtwa. Mtwa was shot nine times outside her home in Mthatha in 2022. She was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, businessman Major Mfesane Bhekizulu. He has denied allegations that he is behind the murder of his girlfriend.
Her murder made headlines across the country and a big march was held in the city to protest her death. It was alleged that the 35-year-old was in an abusive relationship.
