The Manenberg community is still reeling in shock after a 19-year-old woman’s body was found in a wheelie bin over the weekend.
Elene Lino was allegedly stabbed to death by her 49-year-old boyfriend during the early morning hours of Sunday January 9.
The victim’s sister, Candice Baartman, 26, said she still spoke to the suspect when she arrived home after visiting a friend.
“I saw all the garbage had been thrown out of our bin. I asked him what happened, and he said a dog tipped the bin over. I noticed his T-shirt had blood on it. He told me someone attacked him. When I came inside our house, I saw blood on the floor, and the house was in disarray. This was when I ran after him. He was dragging the wheelie bin, and I caught up with him near Olga Court. Then he left the bin and ran,” Ms Baartman said.
She said when she opened the bin, she saw her sister’s feet under a pile of dirt and started screaming for help.
“I have not been able to sleep, or be alone in the house. The sight of her feet and her face still haunts me. I don’t want to be alone, so I have been standing outside and surrounding myself with my neighbours,” Ms Baartman added.
Manenberg SAPS launched a manhunt for the suspect. By Monday January 10, the suspect was still on the run.
According to Ms Baartman, her sister and the suspect often argued.
Manenberg SAPS spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett confirmed that the body of Ms Lino was found in the wheelie bin.
“It is alleged that on Sunday January 9, at 1.30am, the woman was fatally injured when her boyfriend stabbed her in the neck. He dumped the body in the wheelie bin removing it from the scene. He was found pushing the bin in Olga Road, Manenberg. He fled the scene when community members stopped him. A case of murder has been opened for investigation.
No arrest has been made,” Captain Bennett said.
Vanessa Adriaanse, the Manenberg Community Police Forum chairperson, said neighbours should no longer ignore loud voices.
“We can no longer say we don’t want to get involved. We believe people heard the argument, but people chose not to intervene, If we want to nip gender-based violence (GBV) in the bud, then we have to get involved as a collective. We as women also need to put our foot down. We must walk away from an abusive relationship. The community needs to stand against GBV and not keep quiet about it. They must also hold SAPS and the CPF accountable,” Ms Adriaanse said.
Ms Baartman said her sister was loved by all.
“She was a lovely, friendly person. She respected older people and often went to the shop for them. Everybody loved her.”
Anyone with information can contact Manenberg SAPS at 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.