Nelson Mandela Bay district police commissioner Major General Vuyisile Ncata addresses a large crowd outside the Motherwell Magistrates' Court after Sonwabo Nqayi appeared charged with the murder of 12-year-old Lithaliyanda Ntoni. Next to Ncata is Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe. (Photo: Riaan Marais) 
Not only was 12-year-old Lithaliyanda Ntoni murdered and her body burnt almost beyond recognition, but the man charged with her kidnapping and murder was a close family member.
Sonwabo Nqayi (39), believed to be Lithaliyanda’s brother-in-law, made a brief appearance in the Motherwell Magistrates’ Court in Gqeberha on Monday morning. The public gallery was packed with tearful relatives of Lithaliyanda and Nqayi. He faces charges of murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
Little was said in court before Nqayi was led back to the holding cells. He is scheduled to make his next appearance on 7 July for formal bail proceedings.
After the hearing, a woman fainted in the passageway of the courthouse, and family members rushed to revive her.
Lithaliyanda’s family refused to comment on the matter and hurried out of the building while the district police commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, addressed the media.
He said initial reports indicated that Lithaliyanda was seen with Nqayi shortly before she disappeared.
When he was questioned by the police, Nqayi claimed to have been kidnapped, but detectives believe this to be false, and he was initially charged with defeating the ends of justice. Charges of kidnapping and murder were added later.
Ncata said Nqayi was a pastor in Motherwell, but the chairperson of the Motherwell Ministers Fraternal, Ncedile Victor Befile, said Nqayi was not registered with their organisation.
“As the church, we take a strong stance against GBV [gender-based violence], and we distance ourselves from this incident that claimed a young life. Our subcommittees have checked and we can find no membership forms with the name of the accused,” said Befile.
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Star pupil
“She was such a quiet, humble, brilliant child. I could not believe it when I heard the news. I am left speechless after what happened with her,” said Nolita Masiza, a Grade 7 maths and science teacher at Elundini Primary School.
Lithaliyanda was one of her star pupils and had achieved Level 7 in maths and science.
“She was one of … four girls always doing their work. You never heard them complain, and there were never any complaints about them. She had such a bright future,” said Masiza, choking back tears.
During court proceedings a large crowd of Motherwell residents, as well as political party leaders, religious leaders and members of civil organisations, blocked the road in front of the Motherwell court and police station.
“The problem now is not the police, but the courts. Because many people are arrested here in Motherwell, but sometimes within 24 hours we see them walking out of the court,” said Ward 55 councillor Thanduxolo Doda.
“We want to send a clear message that this incident does not only affect the family of the victim, it affects all of us.”
Doda said his office was working closely with various organisations to bolster programmes against GBV in and around Motherwell.
The Phila Ndoda Movement of men against GBV is one such organisation. Its chief executive, Zolile Dayimani, said their members attended court proceedings to show their support for Lithaliyanda’s family.
“We represent the brothers and fathers of GBV victims, and we completely distance ourselves from such a violent act against a young, beautiful, growing girl.
“She was a future wife, a future mother. If our children cannot find safety in our community, where can they ever feel safe?” he asked. DM