Teacher’s mystery death leaves family heartbroken

THE family of Linda Makhubo (34), a teacher who went missing last week, has raised concerns about his disappearance.

They claimed the story that he boarded an e-hailing vehicle is untrue.

The family believes it’s just a cover-up.

A dedicated teacher who vanished without a trace

Linda, who taught English and isiZulu to grades 11 and 12 pupils at Tetelo Secondary School, was found dead in an open field in Meadowlands, Soweto on Friday, 6 June.

His family only managed to identify his body on Monday, 9 June, at Diepkloof mortuary.

His brother, Phiwe Makhubo, spoke to Daily Sun, saying the family is heartbroken and filled with questions.

“We started getting worried after failing to reach him on the phone. He allegedly sent a message to the principal on Thursday, saying he had an appointment with lawyers in Vosloorus,” said Phiwe.

By Friday, Linda failed to show up for work, an occurrence entirely out of character.

“He was very responsible. He wouldn’t just disappear,” Phiwe said.

One of his friends, who usually travelled with him to work, went to check on him at his home in Protea Glen, also in Soweto.

What she found shocked the family.

“She found the windows open, the gate unlocked, and there was no sign of him. That’s when we panicked,” Phiwe said.

The family used his spare keys to check the house. His wallet, bank cards, and cardholder were all still there. His phones were missing and off.

“It didn’t make sense at all,” said Phiwe.

Questions cloud the cause of death

Desperate for answers, Phiwe said he went from one cop shop and hospital to another, checking if his brother had been arrested or admitted.

“I even went to court and asked if someone named Linda had appeared. Nothing. We asked people to check their texts. Maybe he spoke to someone before he disappeared.”

They reported him missing at the Protea cop shop.

On Sunday, 8 June, their younger brother Kuhle received a call from a stranger.

“A woman told him she saw a picture of a missing person on social media and that he looked like someone who had been dumped in a field in Meadowlands,” said Phiwe.

He rushed to Meadowlands cop shop.

“They told me the body was unknown. I asked to see the photos. It was my brother,” said Phiwe.

Heartbreaking confirmation

On Monday morning, Kuhle went to Diepkloof mortuary and confirmed it.

“The rumours about the e-hailing? Lies. He never left in one. He lived alone. There’s no way he left the house with windows open, and the gate unlocked,” Phiwe said.

The family still doesn’t understand why Linda was taken from his home or what really happened.

“We’re trying to figure it out. Someone came and took my brother,” Phiwe said.

His body had swollen lips, and the circumstances of his death remain unclear.

Police investigate Linda’s murder

Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that a murder case has been opened and that the police are investigating.