Crowd demands progress in Phiri murder case

Gallery Update

KNYSNA NEWS - A second march demanding progress and swifter action by police in the investigation into the killing of Phiri Njozela (22) was organised last week by greater Knysna community members.

The march was held on Thursday 7 October, with members of the greater Knysna community gathering at 07:00 at the centre at the Prince Alfred's Pass (R339)/N2 intersection.

While the crowd was smaller than the first march on Sunday 3 October, it made up for it with passion of intent.

Escorted by Knysna police, Western Cape Traffic Department officials and municipal law enforcement, the crowd made its way along the N2 from Nekkies to the Knysna Police Station where they stayed for some two hours, singing songs of support and calling for action against gender-based violence (GBV).

Cries from the crowd, which included close friends and family of Njozela, could be heard demanding that the police bring the killer to book and swift justice for her killing.

Councillor Skosana speaks

Ward 3 Councillor Mncedisi Skosana addressed the crowd via megaphone on behalf of the family and the community. "We will not let the person responsible get away with this, we demand that the police make sure that this crime does not go unpunished! Bring the perpetrator to book."

Photo gallery: Second march for Phiri Njozela

Skosana read out a memorandum of demands, which was handed over at 12:00 to Knysna Station Commander Colonel Francois de Wet. "I may only have been working in Knysna since March, but I assure you this crime has affected me just as it has you, the community," De Wet said.

"I visited the crime scene myself and what I saw was one of the worst scenes I have seen in my entire career. I promise you we will make sure the person responsible will pay for the crime."

De Wet also promised that the investigation will be clear and transparent and that the police will engage with the community leaders and family throughout.

The crime

Njozela's naked body was found in a small dam near Dam se Bos on Tuesday 28 September. According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, Njozela was found by a member of the public who was working in the vicinity. "Emergency personnel were alerted and dispatched to the scene. The body, with an open wound to the neck, was later retrieved by police divers," he explained.

An autopsy was conducted on Wednesday 29 September, but Spies was not able to disclose the cause of death. He also stated that while no one had been arrested in connection with the crime yet, one man was brought in for questioning on Friday 1 October but later released.

Knysna Station Commander Colonel Francois de Wet and Ward 3 Councillor Mncedisi Skosana discuss the memorandum. Photos: Blake Linder