Sad farewell for burn victim Zestah September

11 January 2016

 

Zestah September, whose badly burnt body was found on the side of the road in Lenasia at the end of last year, was given an emotional send-off in Pimville, Soweto, on Saturday January 9.

 

September was reported missing by her boyfriend, Zwelibanzi Ngubane, on New Year’s Eve.

Ngubane appeared briefly in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court on Friday January 8 on a charge of murder. Despite comforting songs sung to ease the pain, September’s mother, Mono, who identified her 27-year-old daughter from nail polish, was inconsolable in her grief. Neighbour Mametse Mahloko, who told mourners that September was a fighter born three months prematurely, said the young girl who grew up in front of her did not go down without a fight.

“Zestah was a precocious child. She was beautiful inside and outside. Now our little angel has been taken away from us. But I know she’s looking down and wishing we should all be strong for her mother’s sake,” said Mahloko.

Other speakers appealed for calm and urged mourners to allow the police to do their work so the family could find closure. September was buried at Lenasia Cemetery. Earlier in the week, Gauteng Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, accompanied by Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau, visited the September family to offer their condolences. Nkosi-Malobane said authorities were following the case closely.

“We will make sure that we assist the witnesses and prepare them for court. When they go to court, they will testify against this monster and make sure he’s taken away from society for a very long time,” she said.