Flagstaff, Eastern Cape — The tragic discovery of Ntombovuyo Ntanga’s body has left the Flagstaff community in shock. The 29-year-old woman was found in a forest on Thursday, 13 November 2025, in a state so severe that it appeared her remains had been partially consumed by dogs.
According to Petros Majola, spokesperson for the Khula Community Project, Ntombovuyo was last seen on 25 October 2025. “Days passed without any news of her whereabouts. On 9 November, friends reported seeing her at a tavern in Hlwahlwazi Village, near her home in Bumazi Village,” Majola explained, speaking on behalf of Ntombovuyo’s aunt.
The discovery of the body came after the aunt, alerted to a report of a deceased girl in the village, went to a friend to confirm what Ntombovuyo had been wearing the last time she was seen. This led them to the forest, where they identified the body based on her clothing from the tavern visit. Majola described the scene as horrifying. “The body was badly decomposed and had been attacked by dogs,” he said.
Shockingly, Ntombovuyo’s family had not filed a missing persons report prior to the discovery. “They believed she had been seen in the village and trusted that her friends’ sightings meant she was safe. When they learned the truth, her aunt was devastated and has struggled to cope since,” Majola added.
Neighbors also expressed their grief and disbelief at the tragedy. Luthando Nomchane, a resident of the area, stated, “This is a terrible thing to happen to someone so young. Our community is shaken, and we hope the authorities will find and arrest those responsible as soon as possible.”
Police have confirmed that an investigation into her death is ongoing. Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, police spokesperson, said authorities are treating the case as a suspected murder. She explained that the body was discovered when children were in the forest collecting wood. “They noticed dogs feeding on human remains and ran to alert the village elders, who then informed the police,” Mawisa said.
Mawisa further noted that the body was in an unrecognizable state due to decomposition and that the head had been covered with a plastic bag. Despite the lack of a missing persons report, authorities were able to identify the body as Ntombovuyo Ntanga.
The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The community has called for swift action to bring justice to Ntombovuyo and closure to her grieving family.
The shocking incident has ignited concern over safety in rural communities, particularly for young women. Many are urging local authorities to strengthen investigative measures and enhance public awareness to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Ntombovuyo’s untimely death serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability faced by individuals in isolated areas, and the Flagstaff community continues to mourn the loss of a young life cut short under such tragic and violent circumstances.
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