The family of the late Mmanoko Tauyatswala (26) is demanding justice after their daughter was killed by an ex-boyfriend in June 2023.
A 37-year-old man appeared briefly at the Mamelodi regional court on charges of murdering Mmanoko, who was a 2nd year Law student at Unisa.
The case was reminded to 06 December 2023.
The court had earlier this year ordered the accused to be sent for a 30-day evaluation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital to determine his fitness to stand trial.
The accused was arrested following the discovery of Mmanoko’s naked and lifeless body in his bedroom in Mamelodi East, with multiple stab wounds on her upper body.
Mmanoko’s family says the suspects is acting insane to evade standing trial for his actions.
Mmanoko’s Aunt, Dimakatso Ntjane, told Tshwane Talks that they don’t know the real story as to how her niece ended up dead in Mamelodi.
She says Mmanoko had already broken up with the guy and concentrating on her studies.
“All we want as a family is justice, closure and answears because we really dont know what happened,” she said.
She even opened cases of assault at Sunnyside police station against the accused, but no arrest was made. She also had a protection order against the accused.
“We suspect that the accused came to Joburg and kidnapped Mmanoko on 2 June 2023 by force.
He drove with her all the way from Joburg to Mamelodi. She was wearing her pyjamas when the suspects took her.
Ntjane said the accused must face the music for what he did to their beloved Mmanoko.
Team leader Mamelodi East GBV brigade Sarah Raphadi said we are here to support the family of Tauyatswala and we will support them until the trial is over.
“We demand justice and we plead with court not to grant the accused bail,” Raphadi said.
