Family of murdered sex worker speak of anguish as they await verdict
The family of a Shallcross sex worker says it's traumatic having to relive how their loved one died in a brutal murder, south of Durban.
Desiree Murugan's headless body was found by municipal workers at the Shallcross Sports Ground near Chatsworth, in August 2014.
ALSO READ: Judgement in Durban decapitation case postponed due to admin issues
Judge Thoba Poyo-Dlwati has begun handing down her judgment in the trial - being heard in the Durban High Court.
Traditional healer Sibonakaliso Mbili, his assistant Vusumuzi Gumede, and three others who were minors at the time - are accused of murdering Murugan.
Falakhe Khumalo turned State witness - and is already serving a life sentence for his role in the attack.
ALSO READ: Sex workers deserve equal rights: advocacy group
Murugan's younger sister, Jennet, says it's difficult to go through the emotions again.
"It's traumatizing to hear all of this evidence put forward, it's disturbing to go through this again - to hear the entire story in detail. Only when the verdict is passed will we get closure," she said.
Judge Poyo-Dlwati was unable to hand down judgement in the case in December 2016, due to administrative hiccups at the court.