A murder case against a sergeant in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, has been moved to Scottburgh magistrate’s court for further hearing.
Mbuyiseni Gema, 46, is facing charges for the murder of his heavily pregnant girlfriend, Busisiwe Ngubo. Gema has been in prison for nearly three months since his arrest. His bail bid failed again in the Ixopo magistrate’s court on Wednesday.
The matter has been postponed to November 6. Gema has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said Gema could face additional charges of dealing in drugs after a stash of dagga and other items were found at his residence after his arrest.
Ngubo’s family spokesperson Mandla Ngcobo said the transferral of the case to Scottburgh, in the south coast, is giving the family hope that closure for the family will be realised.
“We hope that this case will not be delayed [any further] and that justice must prevail. The police went to the place where Busisiwe was found and they discovered a rope. It is believed it was used to strangle her. Recently, children who were playing in the same area found her phone there,” Ngcobo said.
Ngubo, from Hlanzeni location in Ixopo, was reportedly pregnant with triplets when she was attacked and left dead by the roadside.
Strangled and left dead by roadside
According to police, Ngubo was strangled and dumped next to the road. Ngubo, 35, was killed a day before the scheduled date for the delivery of the babies. The state is going to argue that Gema killed her to prevent the babies being born.
Women for Change, a human rights NGO which advocates and campaigns against gender-based violence and femicide, is calling for justice for Ngubo.
The organisation is also calling for the murder charge to include Ngubo’s unborn babies.
“Four lives were taken so brutal,” said Women for Change, pointing to the murder of Ngubo and her unborn triplets.
