KNYSNA NEWS - A Nekkies man who stands accused of murdering his girlfriend last month, Sandiso Faku (36), abandoned his bail application in the Knysna Magistrate's Court last Friday.
It is alleged that Faku murdered his girlfriend, Zodwa Mei (36), and left her body in an unused pit toilet, where it was found on Sunday evening, 27 April.
The court was packed and a group of supporters who had marched to the court to demand that bail be refused, had to stand outside.
The accused showed no signs of remorse. The case was postponed to be resumed in the regional court on 19 May.
Funeral
Mei was buried in George on Saturday 10 May. Her sister, Zoleka Mei, expressed the family's relief that this could be done.
"Inside our hearts we are happy that we found her body and buried our sister," she said.
"It will obviously take some time for us to heal inside. As a family we would like to thank the people of Knysna for being with us all the way since this happened. Even in court they are always here giving us support. They also attended the funeral."
The day of the murder
Zoleka said on Saturday 26 April, she came from Oudtshoorn to visit her sister in Knysna. She first went to see her cousin, who lives near the house where Zodwa stayed with Faku.
That evening, she went to their house and found it to be full of people who were drinking with Faku. When Zoleka asked where her sister was, Faku said she was still at work.
According to Zoleka she waited the whole night, but her sister never came.
"The people later left, but Zodwa still did not pitch. I did not sleep well because I was waiting up for my sister and during the early hours, I saw Faku going outside only to return some time later.
"Even then I had an awful feeling, but I could not place it. When the morning broke, Zodwa was still not home, and this was when I became really worried."
Zoleka said she decided to go to her cousin's house to report that Zodwa had not returned home. The two women checked the local hospital but found no sign of Zodwa.
The search
They went to Zodwa's workplace and were told that the last time she had come to work was the Friday.
They tried reaching her on her phone, but it was switched off. Eventually they went to the police and reported her missing.
The police came to Faku's home to search for Zodwa - while Faku was allegedly out drinking. Police found Zodwa's body in the pit toilet at about 20:00 on Sunday evening, after which Faku was arrested.
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