Disturbing details emerged in court this week as the bail hearing of one of the suspects accused of murdering 19-year-old Lusanda Mathabela continued, shedding light on the brutal nature of the crime and an alleged attempt to destroy evidence.
Mathabela was found dead in her home in Mataffin, Mpumalanga, in November last year. The accused, 19-year-old Lungelo Sithole and his 18-year-old co-accused, Katlego Mokoena, face murder charges in connection with her death. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the extreme violence involved and the graphic testimony presented in court.
During proceedings at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court, investigating officer Sergeant Pollan Mashiloane told the court that the scene inside the house suggested a deliberate effort to clean up after the attack. He testified that when police arrived, the house was flooded with water mixed with blood, indicating that someone had tried to wash away crucial forensic evidence.
According to Mashiloane, blood was found in several areas of the house, which contradicted claims by the defence that the killing occurred only in the shower. The officer said the blood patterns suggested that Mathabela had been attacked in more than one room and that her body had been moved through the house after the assault.
“The injuries were severe,” Mashiloane told the court, describing how the victim had sustained multiple stab wounds. He added that the extent of the injuries showed the attack was vicious and sustained, making it unlikely that anyone in the house at the time would not have heard or noticed what was happening.
Post-mortem results revealed that Mathabela suffered more than 23 stab wounds, which were listed as the cause of her death. Investigators also recovered several items from the scene, including a knife, broken bottle pieces and blood-stained gloves, all of which are expected to form part of the state’s evidence.
The court further heard that samples taken during the post-mortem are being tested for DNA, as investigators are also probing the possibility of a sexual assault linked to the killing. While final forensic results are still pending, the state believes the evidence already gathered strongly connects the accused to the crime scene.
Mashiloane also testified about the movements of the suspects before the killing. According to the investigation, CCTV footage shows the accused entering the property. The court heard that they allegedly stopped on the way to the victim’s home, where one of them is said to have bought gloves, which prosecutors argue points to prior planning.
The state is strongly opposing bail, arguing that the seriousness of the offence, the strength of the evidence, and the possibility of further charges make the release of the accused inappropriate. Prosecutors warned that if released, Sithole could evade trial or interfere with witnesses.
Mathabela’s death has left her family and community devastated, with many calling for justice to be served. As the bail hearing continues, the court is expected to weigh the evidence presented before deciding whether the accused will remain in custody while awaiting trial.
The matter is set to return to court later this month for further proceedings.
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