Zukile Majova
Hundreds of Walter Sisulu University students were joined by female residents of the former Transkei capital as they took to the streets in Mthatha to demand justice for Namhla Mthwa.
Mthwa was shot nine times at her home in April after years of physical abuse at the hands of her boyfriend Major Bhekezulu, a prominent businessman in Mthatha.
The crowd was addressed by the controversial AbaThembu king, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who called upon his subjects to battle GBV by castrating rapists before handing them over to the police.
Last week Namhla’s sister Sanga Nozintaba released WhatsApp conversations and photos of Namhla with scars and bruises suffered over the years from being beaten allegedly by her boyfriend.
Bhekezulu has denied any involvement in the killing of his girlfriend.
It was the circulation of the photos that angered the community, resulting in the march as more victims blamed Umtata police for failing to follow up on cases of GBV.
So far not a single person has been arrested for Namhla’s murder.
In his address, King Dalindyebo said “If the police are too slow, kill everyone who stands on your way.
“When you catch him, please cut off his parcels, castrate him…”
He called on Bhekezelu to hand himself to the police within three days or else the community should burn his home to the ground.
“Burn everything including even his chicken.”
Social activist Petros Majola of the Khula Community Project said GBV cases often collapse because victims withdraw cases.
“It is not easy for someone in an abusive relationship to walk out of it because they can’t see how toxic the relationship is.
“They often hope that their abusive boyfriends or husbands will change their ways over time.”
At least 44 people were murdered in Mthatha in the first three months of 2022 while 62 cases of rape were opened at Mthatha Central Police Station.
