Cape Town – The family of Ntobeko Cele, 25, who was fatally stabbed by her partner, Sbusiso Ntaka, before he committed suicide, is reportedly anguished by how the killer’s family has portrayed them publicly.
Ntaka, a primary school teacher, murdered Ntobeko on Tuesday after a tumultuous and abusive relationship.
He later posted a video confession on social media, claiming she had borne a child that was not his.
[GRAPHIC CONTENT] The police are clearing the scene where Sbusiso Lawrence Ntaka was found hanging from a tree. It’s a distance from where Ntaka dumped the body of a 25-year-old woman he killed and confessed to the crime in a video posted on social media. @nobuhlemodise has the… pic.twitter.com/kaL1NKHoOS
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 18, 2024
According to the Cele family, Ntaka’s violent behaviour had escalated previously, including running over Ntobeko in May.
Despite this, Cele reconciled with him, partly due to concerns for their child, Times Live reported.
The Cele family regretted not pressing charges earlier.
“In retrospect we made a mistake by not getting Ntaka arrested. Ntobeko had felt this would have made things difficult because there was a child involved and because Sbu was employed in government,” the report quoted Nhlonipho Cele, Ntobeko’s aunt, as saying.
[GRAPHIC CONTENT] The Umzinto community is in shock after 25-year-old Nontobeko Cele was murdered by her fiancé, Sibusiso Ntaka, who confessed in a viral video. Ntaka’s body was found in Malangeni. SABC News Reporter Nonhlakanipho Magwaza spoke to the family. pic.twitter.com/FfAtR3DRhd
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 19, 2024
Ntobeko, described as respectful and church-loving, had promising prospects but was subjected to repeated abuse.
Ntaka’s father, Sipho, acknowledged his son’s alcohol-fueled issues.
The KwaZulu-Natal police confirmed Ntaka’s suicide and were investigating a murder case alongside an inquest.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu condemned the tragic incident.
“This shocking incident is a grim reminder of the ongoing scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in our society. Such acts of violence are a betrayal of our shared humanity and have no place in our nation. Furthermore, using social media to amplify such cruelty is utterly unacceptable and reflects a disregard for basic decency and the dignity of others,” Mchunu said.
#PoliceMinistry The Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, condemns in the strongest terms the appalling acts of #GBV and the deeply disturbing exploitation of social media platforms by an individual who confessed to killing his girlfriend.
In his condemnation, Minister Mchunu… pic.twitter.com/lOHeXETGtg
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 18, 2024
He said that while Lawrence’s decision to end his own life has brought the legal pursuit of justice to a halt, it in no way lessens the gravity of his actions or the profound pain inflicted on the victim’s family and friends. He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the family.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim and reaffirm the government’s commitment to intensifying efforts to create a society where women and children can live free from fear,” he said
Picture: X/@SadStar_el
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
