ALI MPHAKI
TWO men arrested for the murder of an 84-year-old granny who was found strangled in her Zondi home were remanded in custody after a brief appearance at the Protea Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The two were not asked to plead and their case was postponed to Tuesday for further investigation.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said the two men, who are from Zondi, would be kept at Johannesburg Prison until their next court appearance.
They are charged with the murder of Dorah Shumayeli, who was found on Sunday with her hands tied and her mouth covered with a cloth. Police say she was found with foam coming out of her mouth, suggesting she had been strangled. Her ID book, bank card, cellphone and R200 in cash were missing.
Makhubela said the two were taken in for questioning on Sunday, and when they failed to provide satisfactory answers, were locked up. They are being charged with murder and theft.
The Zondi community is in shock at Shumayeli’s murder, with most elderly people saying they now lock themselves in their houses.
Shumayeli, a staunch Jehovah’s Witness, originally came from Kimberley, and had been living alone following the death of her husband last year.
There was no forced entry, and her family suspect the two young men had gone to the house under the guise of coming to do some gardening.