Ayabonga Mjilo’s alleged killer abandons bail bid
Cape Town - The suspect accused of kidnapping and killing 23-year-old Ayabonga Mjilo told the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday that he would abandon his bail application.
In court, Mfanafuthi Kunene was granted Legal Aid with Ntando Cele being his designated attorney, and the matter was adjourned to February 26.
KwaZulu-Natal’s Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, also attended the court proceedings.
An emotional Nontobeko Mjilo, Ayabonga’s older sister, thanked police for not resting until they had found Ayabonga.
Speaking after Kunene’s court appearance, Nontobeko said the Greenwood Park police officers, led by Sergeant Nhlanhla Mhlongo were relentless in their attempt to find her sister.
“They did not sleep, day and night, looking for my mother’s child, until they found and returned with her.
“I’d like to say thank you even though in the end we found her (Ayabonga) dead.”
On December 28, 2024, Nontobeko filed a missing person’s report for Ayabonga who had last been seen on Christmas Day at a restaurant in uMhlanga with former colleagues.
Investigations led police to CCTV footage at the restaurant, which revealed that Ayabonga was seen a little after midnight (12.11am) on Christmas Day leaving with a man before entering into a silver vehicle.
A kidnapping case was opened at Greenwood Park Police Station.
Further CCTV footage was viewed and as investigations continued, one of the colleagues who saw Ayabonga in the company of the man, identified the man for police.
Kunene was taken into custody on January 4.
A murder case was then opened at the Verulam Police Station.
Ayabonga’s elder brother, Mthe Mjilo, said: “I’m deeply hurt...we have been affected in different ways.”
Ayabonga’s friend, Asanda Shabane, spoke of the desperate nature of the search after she had been reported missing.
“We are shocked she was found dead… her last post on WhatsApp was of her and her boyfriend,” Shabane said.
“She was very bubbly, kind, and liked talking. She was also cheeky,” she said about Ayabonga.
“The waitresses said when she was leaving the restaurant she was fighting with a man,” Shabane said.
“We tracked her phone and her last whereabouts was at the house where she was found.”
Ntuli said he decided to attend the court case because the province was facing a scourge of gender-based violence incidents.
“The tragic loss of Ayabonga has left us deeply shaken. We stand with her family as they seek justice, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable members of our society from such atrocities,” Ntuli said.
“Today’s proceedings serve as a reminder of the urgent need to address the scourge of violence in our communities. We will not rest until those who commit such crimes are held accountable.”
Ntuli said they would continue to support Ayabonga’s family.
According to reports Kunene had worked with Ayabonga for five months at a call centre last year, where he was the manager.
When she was killed, Ayabonga had been employed at a different call centre where she had been working for a few months previously.