Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 2013-09-25

A 24 year old man arrested for the brutal murders of Hawa Bibi and Zuleikha Ghora in Lenasia south of Johannesburg was released on Monday due to a lack of evidence.   

Police spokesperson Kay Makhubela said the man was supposed to have appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court but the case was not put on the roll.

"The court did not place [his case] on the roll as investigations are still to be done and we are awaiting DNA results from his blood and blood samples taken at the scene," said Makhubela.

Makhubela said the man was still a suspect.

The sisters were killed in a robbery at their Extension 11A home in Lenasia. Their bodies were discovered by their nephew Adil Ghora last Wednesday, 48 hours after they were murdered.

Hawa Bibi was found lying on her side in the lounge with her throat slit and Zuleikha on the bed in her bedroom with a stab wound to the head

Before the suspect could appear before the magistrate, police decided to release him, saying they did not have a strong enough case. Officials say they are waiting for DNA results which could take up to three months.

The state says the elderly sisters were also sexually assaulted

However Makhubela says he hopes his seniors will assist in speeding up the process so the case can be solved.  "If he is linked through the DNA, then the case will be placed back on the roll. He is free until such time," Said Makubela.

At the court the suspect sobbed as he approached his parents. His parents say they are taking him to a place of safety because they fear that the community of Lenasia will attack him as they are sick of crime plaguing the suburb.  
 
The man of Indian origin was arrested on Friday after a neighbour reported seeing him at the Ghora home on the night of the crime.  It’s the second time he has been arrested for the murders after he and another suspect were briefly detained on Wednesday.