THE family of a woman found dead and mutilated suspects human trafficking.
This comes after the body of 24-year-old Luyanda Cele from F section in Umlazi, south of Durban, was found dumped in South Beach near the Metro Lodge on Saturday, 18 March.
Luyanda's tongue was chopped off while a piece of her lower lip was cut.
It's alleged she had left work at about 4pm on Friday, 17 March. She then called her sister and told her she would be going for driving lessons and would be home late.
Lungile Cele (38) told Daily Sun when her sister didn't return home that night, they reported her missing.
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"She has never left home and slept somewhere else and besides. She was a very good girl and we knew all her ways," she said.
Lungile said whoever was behind this dragged her as her white trousers were dirty, showing there was a struggle before she was killed.
"As family, we suspect human trafficking because we can't make sense of this whole thing. If it was just a robbery, the person wouldn't have cut pieces of her mouth and tongue," she said.
She said all they wanted now was justice.
She had recently graduated from the University of KZN before joining the eThekwini Municipality as intern in the occupational health and safety unit.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda condemned the senseless killing.
“Luyunda Cele was young and had a bright future ahead of her. She has been prevented from reaching her full potential as her life has been cut short. I extend my sincere condolences to those who knew and loved her. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
Kaunda and KZN Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza called on police to leave no stone unturned to find her killer.
“We cannot continue business as usual while our children are murdered like this,” she said.
Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed that cops were investigating a case of murder following an incident that occurred on Pixley KaSeme Street on Saturday, 18 March.
"It is alleged that a body of a woman was found lying in a passage between two buildings. She was later identified by her family and reports indicate that she was last seen on Friday, 17 March 2023. The motive for the killing is unknown," she said.
