A convicted murderer, 30-year-old Marius Nagel, was arrested for the murder and rape of Leeuwkop female prison warden Eunice Moloko.
Johannesburg - The family of the female official who was murdered at the Leeuwkop prison last week is demanding justice for her life. The family of Eunice Moloko say it is sad to see that still no accountability has been taken for the death of their mother, sister and daughter.
Moloko, 50, was found on August 10 at the prison’s Medium A centre. Her body was discovered inside the female toilets on the floor with her jacket covered with blood. Three days later, a convicted offender, 30-year-old Marius Nagel, was arrested.
Moloko’s brother-in-law George Mokolae explained the events which unfolded on the day before her body was found.
“Eunice and her husband left home together for work. Her husband works at the same prison, in a different section. At about 9pm he checked on her to find out if she was still attending her doctor’s appointment. After noticing she was not responding to her WhatsApp messages, he went to search for her.”
It is believed that Moloko had been missing for 13 hours. Evidence showed that she was murdered in the morning because her lunch was not touched nor did she check in, in the daily journal. The cell keys were also found on her table.
Mokolae said no manager, supervisor or security went to check and no one noticed that the centre key was missing at knock-off time. “We need answers to why the security was compromised. How can a female official be left alone in a section?”
A memorial service was held on at the prison. The family described Moloko as a “sweet somebody” who would be remembered for always being loving and jolly. Outside the prison, members of the ANC Women’s League, Cosatu, SA National Civic Organisation and gender-based violence activists joined in solidarity to remember her.
Spokesperson for the family, the Reverend Peter Maruping, said that the way Moloko died was painful and undeserving. She is survived by her husband and her two daughters, Kgothatso and Relopile.
The funeral service was expected to take place on Saturday at the NG Kerk at The Reeds in Centurion, followed by the burial at the Olievenhoutbosch cemetery. Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said a briefing would be held after preliminary investigations were concluded.
Nagel appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of murder. Gauteng NPA spokespeson Phindi Mjonondwane said he was sentenced on a count of murder and another of attempted murder in November 2015 for an incident in KZN in 2014. He is currently serving 18 years at the Leeuwkop facility.
The matter was adjourned until August 26.
The Star