A 51-year-old man from Kwa-A, eMnambithi, has been arrested for killing his 66-year-old sister, Duduzile Dlamini, in a dispute over an unpaid debt. According to a family member, the sister, who was bedridden after suffering a stroke in March, was strangled by her brother on Thursday. The brother had been demanding repayment of a R11,000 debt from his sister, which she had allegedly borrowed from a local moneylender in 2023.
The family member, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the brother and sister had been arguing over the debt for some time. The brother had been struggling financially and had recently secured a job as a security guard, after which he demanded immediate repayment of the debt from his sister. Despite an agreement to repay the debt in installments of R1,000 per month, the brother allegedly became violent and killed his sister.
The family member described the events leading up to the murder, stating that the brother had been in a desperate state, crying and pleading with relatives for help in recovering the debt. In the days leading up to the murder, the brother had been making phone calls to relatives, expressing his distress and frustration over the unpaid debt.
On the day of the murder, the brother arrived at his sister's home at night, and after a conversation, he attacked and killed her. A woman who was present in the house heard the commotion and screamed for help, but it was too late. The police were called, and the brother was arrested at the scene.
The brother has since expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he was under pressure and made a mistake. He allegedly told the family that he had been driven to desperation by the debt and his sister's refusal to repay him. However, the family has expressed shock and disappointment at his actions, stating that they had never expected him to resort to violence.
The local councilor, Simphiwe Zwane, has expressed his condolences to the family and condemned the murder. He stated that the community is shocked and outraged by the senseless killing, and that the council will provide support to the family during this difficult time.
The police have confirmed that the brother has been charged with murder and will appear in court soon. The community is still reeling from the shock of the murder, and many are calling for greater support for mental health and debt counseling services to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Key points
- A 51-year-old man from Kwa-A, eMnambithi, has been arrested for killing his 66-year-old sister over an unpaid debt of R11,000.
- The brother had been demanding repayment of the debt from his sister, who was bedridden after suffering a stroke.
- The local councilor has condemned the murder and pledged support for the family during this difficult time.
