The brother of Mthokozisi Ntumba, who was killed during a student protest a year ago, has broken his silence, saying he left a void and the family is struggling to heal.
Ayanda Ntumba spoke to Sowetan on the first year anniversary of his brother's killing on March 10 2021.
Ntumba said though it might be a year after his brother passed away, the wounds are still fresh to everyone.
“We are still trying to cope. Our brother did not fall ill. He was taken away. As a family we meet a lot. We meet with Thandi [Ntumba’s wife] all the time as the family together with the children. Every time we meet, we start to talk about him. We speak about him, saying if he was here, he would be doing this and that.
“To us there is still that thought that says we will see him again, but then we realised that he is no more. That thought is always cancelled by the sight of his grave where he is sleeping back home in Bergville. Even when we try to move on with life, his space in the family is so ever visible. No one will ever replace him,” said Ntumba.
His brother was killed in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, when police fired rubber bullets dispersing students who were protesting in the area.
He had just seen a doctor moments before he was caught in the crossfire.
His death sent shock waves across the country, sparking debates about the use of force by police during public protest.
He left his wife and three children aged 8, 4 and 1.
Ntumba said Thandi has tried to be strong over the past year.
“Thandi has been devastated by Mthoko’s death, but she is a strong woman. There are times where you can see that the pain is really there but you can see that she is strong.
Ntumba said as his brother was a family man, all his children want to know where he is gone.
“The children are still asking for their father because they were close to him. Thandi has to say whatever she feels is appropriate at that time.
“The children miss their father so much. He spent most of his time with his family. He was not the kind of guy who goes to drinking spots. If he was not at work, he is with his wife and children or with us,” he said.
Just five days after Ntumba’s killing, police officers Tshepiso Kekana, 27, Cidraas Motseothatha, 43, Madimetja Legodi, 37, and Victor Mohammed, 51 were arrested. They were charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder. They are out on R8,000 bail each and have pleaded not guilty.
Ntumba said he attended the trial in the high court in Johannesburg once and he was “alright” after seeing the accused.
“They must pay for what they did. Their actions were seen by the public. They cannot do something like that and then walk free. That would bring us pain even as we are trying our best to accept that our brother is no more,” he said.
The Ntumba family is suing the state for R56m for the losses and suffering they have endured.
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