The Blue Bulls Rugby Union issued a statement on Friday saying they were alerted to allegations of a murder case involving a player who represented their Country Districts team last season.
News24 understands that the chemical engineering student allegedly stabbed his girlfriend, Ntokozo Mayenzi Xaba, to death in a residence at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on Wednesday night.
The alleged perpetrator, whose name is known to News24 but cannot be named as he has not yet appeared in court.
Police spokesman Colonel Dimakatso Sello confirmed to News24 that the suspect was in custody and was being questioned by police.
“It is reported that on February 1, 2023, the victim was drinking with friends, including her ex-boyfriend, at a house in Pretoria Gardens,” the police statement read.
“According to reports, the friends left and the two left together. The next morning, the victim was found dead with stab wounds to the neck. The ex-boyfriend has since been detained for questioning by police. The investigations continue.”
The Bulls also commented.
“While we do not know all the details related to the incident, we wish to reiterate that Blue Bulls Rugby Union, its affiliates, partners and members continue in unison to condemn all forms of gender-based violence in the strongest.” of the terms,” read part of the Blue Bulls’ statement.
News24 spoke to a former TUT rugby coach, as well as an administrator involved in the university’s rugby program on condition of anonymity, who told the publication about the alleged perpetrator, a promising scrum-half playing for his first team.
One of the sources gave details of the alleged incident.
“Yeah, it’s one of our guys who killed his girlfriend,” the insider told New24.
“The girlfriend had broken up with him and she was with someone else and he stabbed her multiple times at Res and on West Campus. She died Wednesday night but was found yesterday (Thursday) morning.
“I was finishing my chemical engineering degree at the time. He was arrested yesterday (Thursday) morning.
“Around 08:00 he was on campus for his chemical engineering practical work, which is when he was arrested.”
Ekhaya Junction Management, which manages the residence where the murder allegedly took place, issued a statement saying they learned Thursday morning that Xaba’s friends were unable to reach her on her cell phone.
The statement said that the management of the residence and paramedics went to the place where they found Xaba unconscious in her room, from where she was pronounced dead. The statement also confirmed that the main suspect was detained.
“The investigation is still ongoing and statements from friends and employees have been taken. The main suspect has been arrested and taken into custody,” the Ekhaya Junction Management statement read.
Willem Strauss, Chairman of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the young woman involved in the incident.
Read the full statement below:
Due to social media posts, the Blue Bulls Rugby Union have learned of an alleged murder case involving a young rugby player who represented Blue Bulls Country Districts during the 2022 season.
While we do not know all the details related to the incident, we wish to reiterate that the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, its affiliates, partners and members continue to stand in unison, condemning all forms of gender-based violence in the strongest of terms.
Willem Strauss, Chairman of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, conveys a heartfelt message of condolences to the family of the young woman whose life has been cut short prematurely.
“I would like to send my deepest condolences to a family whose world has been turned upside down. A family that loses a branch from their tree that was filled with so many promises of all the good things in life.
“As a father and a grandfather, I cannot imagine the amount of pain and sadness that fills your hearts at this very moment, a pain that will probably linger for a long time because the emptiness of losing a loved one is never easy, and especially when it is your son.
“We raise our children to see them grow into these incredible beings filled with the potential to change our world, and when their lives are cut short, we are never the same because we live in the empty wonder of what could have been. I hope and pray that as a family, God’s love will bring you all the comfort you need in this terrible hour.
“South Africa continues to bleed, and that bleeding can only stop once our women, children and vulnerable people can be assured of their safety. A basic right that seems to be losing value every day.
“As a parent, I continue to urge and appeal to other parents to be more intentional with our children as we seek to educate, empower, and equip them with necessary life skills that encourage them to learn and better manage their emotions. and more responsible. Perhaps – I do it today – with more urgency than yesterday because one more young woman has lost her life, and it should never have been like that”.
Due to the nature of the matter, the Union and the clubs cannot comment further at this time and wish to see the family find solace in the hands of justice.
