Cape Town - A man who allegedly killed his long-term girlfriend at Bothasig Gardens appeared in court on Friday.
Thandiswa Sejosengoe was murdered on 27 September allegedly by her boyfriend Patrick Kayombo Kapinga who has since been arrested and appeared in the Goodwood Magistrate's Court.
The victim's sister Mabohlali Sejosengoe explained: “Her boyfriend had been gone for days with my sister's car and returned that day. He asked the kids aged 10 and 8 to go play outside. She sent me a text message which said I should go to her place as soon as possible and that they were fighting over her car key.
“I called her and she told me that she refused to give him the car keys. She said she told the accused to leave the car and go, and at that point, my sister didn't want to be in a relationship with him anymore.”
Mabohlali explained that while on the call with her sister, Kapinga demanded to speak to her.
“She refused to give him the phone but he ended up taking the phone and said they were going to be fine. My airtime was depleted and I ended up sending a voicenote but he replied to it and said that he is also going to be employed soon. All the while I was thinking why was my sister not shouting in the background.”
When she called again, Kapinga said Sejosengoe fell and he was waiting for the ambulance.
“I went with a relative to Bothasig, we saw an ambulance and he was sitting outside smoking,” explained Mabohlali.
“We tried to get into the flat, and we were told that the person had already passed. According to the forensic examiners, she had been strangled and that she had blunt trauma to the head. Kapinga undressed her from the bedroom and then left her in the bathtub and opened the tap and then called people.”
Kapinga was supposed to apply for bail on Friday but his lawyer said they had a document outstanding that the State would require during the bail hearing.
Friends of the victim showed up with placards which sought justice for the mother-of-two.
One of her supporters cried Kapinga walked into the dock.
Neziswa Sentalo said: “When I saw him I had the picture of what happened and I became angry, and I couldn't help but cry. I thought of how my friend suffered at the hands of this man.
“Her young children will now suffer because of him. And when I looked at him, he looked free, he was nonchalant, like he is not charged with murder.
“I don't think he deserves bail, we want justice for Thandi, he doesn't deserve to be out.”
Another friend said: “We don't think Patrick is remorseful, he must feel like he's not guilty, whereas he was roaming around the complex pretending like he had done nothing wrong.
“He didn't think about Thandiswa's children who are now being evicted. They are living in fear, they don't have their mother around.”
Days after the murder the Sejosengoe family faced the eviction of the victim's children.
“We are concerned that the children's school is in Bothasig and they have never lived in a township. I don't mind taking over the lease.”
Communicare General Manager: Rental Property Management, Makhosi Kubheka said they were deeply saddened by the recent passing of Sejosengoe.
“The well-being of the children, who are now in the care of a relative, is of importance to Communicare. Our social workers have supported the children and will continue to offer help.
“The current lease agreement terminates when the leaseholder passes away. Initially, the family agreed to vacate the premises but, it seems, have subsequently changed their mind and have not informed Communicare. While we are unable to transfer leases automatically to family members, we have explained to the family that any relative wishing to reside in our complex must follow the formal application process.
“We understand the family's concerns, particularly regarding the children's schooling, and we have encouraged them to apply through the proper channels.
“We recognise the sensitivity of this situation and are committed to doing what we can to support the family through this difficult period.”
mandilkahe.tshwete@inl.co.za