Clouds of sadness still hang around the Nzhelele area, after a 28-year-old woman was allegedly raped and severely beaten and left to die during the past week.

According to the police, Ms Rendani Mphephu was crossing the Pfumbada Bridge when Lesley Maanda (26), who is said to be her ex-lover, approached her. It is alleged a disagreement between the two escalated into an argument that resulted in a fight. It is said that Maanda allegedly attacked Ms Mphephu, severely injuring her.

She was rushed to the nearby Siloam Hospital, where she died last Monday. According to the police report, Mphephu had sustained serious injuries.

The spokesperson for the Mphephu Police, W/O Lazarus Netshidzati confirmed the incident. “When the police arrived at the scene, the deceased was lying on the ground. She could not talk nor walk,” he said.

Netshidzati said that Mphephu was then taken to the hospital, where she spent days in a coma before she died. He added that a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and rape had been opened with the police. “We the opened a case of murder against the accused, following Mphephu’s death,” explained Netshidzati.

He further confirmed that the accused, who had been on the run ever since the incident happened, was eventually arrested. Maanda briefly appeared before the Dzanani Magistrate´s Court last Tuesday and the case was postponed to October 6.

Mphephu was a resident of Tshitunitshafhasi village.

The family of the deceased expressed their concerns about the Mphephu’s death. They said that they were saddened about her death and still reeling from the shock. “She did not deserve to die like this. The incident has disturbed every member of the family. It is difficult for us to accept the loss,” said Makhadzi Vho-Tshinakaho Khorombi.

Khorombi, who is the deceased’s aunt, had been taking care of her since she was a child, following the death of her mother. “I couldn’t believe my eyes, watching her lying helplessly in the hospital bed. She couldn’t move or say anything. It was very disturbing,” she stressed.

Pfumbada Bridge is the same bridge where the 27-year-old Given Maduvha had allegedly stabbed and killed his ex-lover, Ms Mashudu Khumela (22) on June 16.

Mphephu is survived by her two children. She was laid to rest at Tshitunitshafhasi village’s cemetery last Saturday, 17 September.