'Being around people has helped', say grief-stricken parents of murdered Entle Manzi
The parents of murder victim Entle Manzi say they are “not ready” for the process at the Bellville Magistrate's Court, as proceedings were postponed to May 27 for a formal bail application.
Bekisizwe Manzi and Wezeka Manzi are demanding justice after their daughter, Entle Manzi, was stabbed to death, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend Mihlali Tuoane, 24, just days before her 26th birthday at his residence in Parow Valley on March 30.
Tears flowed at court on Wednesday morning, as family and supporters of murder victim Entle packed out the courtroom, kitted in their "Justice for Entle Manzi" t-shirts with her face on.
Bekisizwe said they are opposing bail and bracing for the lengthy court case.
“I am not sure if I am really ready for this process now that I have been briefed by the lawyer and the prosecutor as to what is going to happen moving forward.
"I am really not sure if I will have the strength to go through this because it is going to take a long time as far as I can gather.
"This guy is going to apply for bail next week and of course we have to come once more to see what is the way forward, hopefully he is not going to get bail. I still have trust in the justice system otherwise, I don’t think I am ready anymore,” he said.
The father said they have been dealing badly with the loss of their daughter and try to keep themselves occupied with work.
“It is bad, it is on and off.
"We have our moments when we feel okay but in your little corner it hits you again, but our strategy has been to go back to work as soon as we could because when we are by ourselves at home, it is not nice at all.
"Luckily, we have support from friends and family who always come as often as they can.
"Being around people has helped a lot, that is how we have been surviving."
When asked what they would like the outcome to be, he said: "This guy must go down for the longest time. Remember how many times he stabbed my child; it must be a lifetime for every stab wound that he inflicted on my child.”
Outside the Bellville Magistrate's Court, learners from Intlanganiso Secondary School, where Bekisizwe is the deputy principal, came to demonstrate with posters and placards while chanting, "Justice for Entle" and "no bail".
One learner said the Grade 10s and Grade 11s came to show their support for their deputy principal.