Ndwedwe rape, murder suspect known to family of deceased

23-year-old Zwelakhe Maphumulo is alleged to have stopped 15-year-old Lungile Cele while she was on her way back home from a school trip in October 2014.

The teenager's naked body was found not far from home the following day.

Lungile's sister Mvelo Ngidi says the past two years have been difficult and she can't understand why the justice system is taking so long.

"Maybe someone can help me understand how the system works because there's already a DNA test. So I believe he should already be behind bars. So until justice is served I will never be happy,"said Mvelo.

Today, Lungile's classmates held a picket outside the Ndwedwe Magistrate's Court where the suspect appeared briefly.

Mlonde Mhlongo who was in Lungile's Grade 9 class says she was a good friend and hard worker.

''What happened to Lungile was very sad. She was a good-hearted person who would never hurt anyone. At school we looked up to her because she was very smart, she was meticulous and was very graceful," said Mhlongo.

(Photo: Khatija Nxedlana)