Pasiwe Lawana, 53, was found severely assaulted, metres from her house, her body dumped in a gutter

A rape survivor, whose case was set to be heard in the East London Magistrate's Court soon, was this week found murdered, her body dumped in a gutter.

Pasiwe Lawana's death has shocked her family and community members from her village, called Newlands, just outside East London, the Dispatch reports.

Lawana's sister, Eunice Kwepile, said her death had left them with many unanswered questions, especially as the court case was drawing nearer.

In September last year, Lawana was raped by a suspect from the same village, who was later released on bail.

The case had been postponed on numerous occasions and in June was set for a three-day trial, but the defence attorney was too sick to attend court.

"Pasiwe died at the hands of (someone) who wanted her dead for reasons we don't know. She was a person who was loved by the community," said Kwepile.

Yesterday morning, villagers going to work before 6am were shocked to see Lawana's body lying in a gutter. She had been badly assaulted.

Lawana's aunt, Boniwe van Ryk, said her niece had been worried about the rape case which was to be heard. "She was very scared."

Mdantsane police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said: "The rape case is still in court, it was not been withdrawn and it was to be heard soon. Her death is being investigated and at this stage we don't want to confuse the community and say her death is related to the rape case. For now, we are investigating the murder."