A restaurant manager in Durban faces charges of kidnapping, murder, and defeating justice after allegedly strangling and burying his former employee, Ayabonga Mjilo, in a shallow grave.
In a chilling case that has rocked the KwaZulu-Natal community, Mfanafuthi Kunene, a restaurant manager from Inanda, Durban, is facing serious charges in the brutal murder of 23-year-old Ayabonga Mjilo.
Kunene, who appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 6, 2025, was formally charged with kidnapping, murder, and defeating the ends of justice after the shocking details of the crime came to light.
The murder of Ayabonga Mjilo, a former employee of Kunene’s, has sent shockwaves through the community. According to police reports, the young woman was last seen on Christmas morning leaving a restaurant in Umhlanga in the early hours with a male companion.
She never returned home, and her disappearance led to the filing of a kidnapping report.
What followed was a harrowing investigation that ultimately uncovered the grim fate that had befallen Mjilo.
Investigators discovered that Mjilo had been taken to Kunene’s home in Amaotana, Inanda, where her lifeless body was later found buried in a shallow grave in the yard.
Kunene was arrested shortly after the body was discovered, and police were quick to piece together the circumstances of her tragic death.
According to the evidence gathered during the investigation, Mjilo was allegedly strangled by Kunene before being hastily buried in his yard.
The murder has raised serious concerns about the persistent issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, a topic that has sparked outrage and demands for justice across the nation.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, was among the first officials to comment on the case, condemning the violence in the strongest terms.
Ntuli praised the South African Police Service (SAPS) for their swift action in apprehending Kunene, hailing their investigative work as “meticulous.”
The Premier expressed his deep condolences to Mjilo’s family, friends, and loved ones, calling her death a “devastating tragedy.”
Ntuli went on to stress the importance of justice in such cases, emphasizing the need for harsher penalties for individuals who commit such heinous acts of violence.
“Losing a young woman in such a brutal manner is a devastating tragedy. We stand in solidarity with the family as they mourn this heartbreaking loss, and we will continue to support them as they seek justice for Ayabonga,” said Ntuli.
Ntuli’s remarks also pointed to the broader societal issue of violence against women, which continues to plague South Africa. The Premier underscored that Mjilo’s murder serves as a stark reminder of the urgent work needed to address gender-based violence.
“This is a clear and painful reminder of the work that lies ahead in our mission to end gender-based violence in our province and our nation. We cannot tolerate these barbaric acts, and we must work collectively to eradicate them.”
“Violence against women is an affront to our values of Ubuntu and humanity. We must all unite to reject these heinous acts, and ensure that perpetrators face the full force of justice,” he said.
The case has also sparked a conversation about the role of traditional leadership and community structures in preventing violence against women and children.
Ntuli emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, civil society, and communities to create sustainable solutions for protecting vulnerable groups.
He called on traditional leaders, such as izinduna (headmen) and amabutho (Zulu regiments), to play an active role in fostering a culture of respect, safety, and protection for women and children.
The Premier also used the occasion to reiterate the government’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served in this case and others like it. “This is not just the government’s fight; it is a fight for every citizen.
We must come together and raise our voices against these acts of violence. We must show that our communities are united in the fight to protect women and children,” he stated.
The case against Kunene has been postponed to February 26, 2025, when he is expected to face further proceedings in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
The court appearance was his first since his arrest, and his appearance has drawn significant attention, both locally and nationally, as the investigation into Mjilo’s murder continues.
As the case unfolds, many are hoping that justice will prevail and that this case will serve as a catalyst for greater societal change.
The murder of Ayabonga Mjilo has highlighted once again the urgent need for action against gender-based violence in South Africa, and many are calling for a greater focus on prevention, intervention, and stronger punishment for perpetrators.
For now, the Mjilo family is left to grapple with the painful loss of their beloved daughter, while the community and the nation at large await the outcome of the trial.
As Premier Ntuli said, “We must stand together to ensure that Ayabonga’s death was not in vain, and that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
As the judicial process continues, the case serves as a sobering reminder that the fight against gender-based violence is far from over, and that every effort must be made to protect the safety and dignity of women and children across the country.
