Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 2013-09-18

A brutal and savage murder of two elderly Muslim women at their home on the corner of Penner Avenue and Bangalore Drive, Extension 11A in Lenasia South of Johannesburg has left the community reeling in shock.

70 year old Hawa Bibi and 74 year old Zuleikha Ghora who was also bedridden and in a wheelchair were  found dead at their home at around 10am this morning (18th September).

According to a neighbour, Omar Ebrahim who spoke to Radio Islam, the bodies of  Hawa Bibi and Zuleikha were found by their nephew Adil Ghora who arrived at their extension 11A home to take them shopping.

Ebrahim said Adil found the door to the home wide-open with blood splatters everywhere and no visible forced entry. As he entered his aunts home, a gruesome scene awaited him.

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

Adil immediately contacted Shahiem Ismail from Lethal Forces who arrived on the scene within minutes. He immediately contacted the Lenasia Police who responded within ten minutes.

Ismail told Radio Islam that there was no forced entry to the home and the motive could’ve been robbery as Zuleikha's bedroom was disheveled. He said the blood on the scene was dry and the bodies were in a state of decomposition, stating that the double murder could’ve taken place about 48 hours ago.

The close-knit neigbourhood and community supported the women’s brother Shabier and his wife Zayboon Ghora who were extremely distraught by the murder of his sisters. A family friend said the two elderly women had lived at the home for 32 years.

Police on the scene, Captain Phakoa from the Lenasia Police station declined to comment simply saying they are investigating and referred all queries to Captain Hector Netshivodza.