“We can no longer search for Sisipho. She’s gone . . .”
These were the heartbreaking words of Zukisa “Zuks” Fono on Monday, bringing an end to the search for his stepdaughter Sisipho Mayile who went missing more than a week ago.
He had last seen the 21-year-old when she left their home on Friday 14 January. When she didn’t return by the following morning he wasn’t too worried, because he and his partner Bulelwa Tenge thought she had spent the night at a friend’s place.
By Sunday the couple started getting anxious, especially after being unable to contact their Mayile on her cellphone.
“I tried calling her numerous times but the phone just rang,” Fono said.
“By Monday morning, about 06:00, her phone just went to voicemail.”
Desperate for Mayile’s safe return, Fono started posting photos of her along with pleas for details on her whereabouts on social media.
He also reported her as missing.
When news spread of a woman’s body being found near Camphill in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on Friday, says Fono, he suspected the worst. The family went to the police, requesting to see the body, but was not allowed to do so.
“On Monday, the police called,” Fono said. “We were not allowed to see the body, but the description, everything, checked out.
The person who took her life has caused our family much sadness and devastation. The thought that her life was cut short is unbearable. She turned 21 on 6 January and we had a party for her the Saturday. During the festive season we did so many things together. We were so happy, not knowing what lay ahead. It is so unfair.”
He thanked the community for their support at this difficult time.
Capt Fadila September, spokesperson for Hermanus Police, said a member of the public was cutting grass on Friday when he came across the partially decomposed body of a woman.
She confirmed two suspects had been taken in for questioning.
“They were released due to insufficient evidence to link them to the murder,” she said. “The investigation continues.”
September said DNA tests were being done to confirm the body’s identity. She confirmed three cases of arson are being investigated after three structures in Zwelihle apparently belonging to one of the suspects were set alight.