The persistent pleas for an end to the killing of women and children in the Free State appear to have fallen on deaf ears, following reports of the murder of another woman by her husband in Bothaville.
Free State Police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli reported that at around 16:20hrs on Wednesday (3/7), a man arrived at the Bothaville police station seeking assistance. He claimed that his wife was lying in a pool of blood near an informal settlement called “Mezwinking”.
Police and emergency medical services rushed to the scene, found the woman with multiple stab wounds and pronounced her dead.
“Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of the 29-year-old husband for murder. The investigation continues and the suspect will appear in court soon,” Kareli said.
This harrowing incident took place on the same day that men and women from across the Mangaung region marched to the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court to protest against the widespread gender-based violence in the province.
The march, led by Free State Prime Minister MaQueen Letshoha Mathae, Mangaung Metro chairperson Lawrence Mathae, church leaders, members of the former prime minister’s foundation and various organisations, called for justice for all women who have been victims of such violence.
The protest took place during yet another court hearing for Stephen Songezo, who recently made headlines for the murder of his girlfriend, a teacher at Tsoseletso High School, Mpho Moalosi.
Songezo’s case has been adjourned until August 15, 2024. He is also being investigated in 14 other cases of GBV and will appear in court on July 18 in a separate rape case.
In another case, Simphiwe Macdonald Masithela appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday (2/7) for allegedly stabbing and killing his girlfriend. His case was postponed to Tuesday (9/7) after his lawyer requested more time to gather bail information, which the prosecution did not object to.
Prime Minister Mathae has spoken out about the recent incidents of violence against women in the province, calling on men, church leaders and organisations to take a strong stand against gender-based violence.
“The killing of women in our province is a crisis that demands immediate and decisive action,” Mathae said. “We must all come together to create a safe environment for our women and children.”
Despite numerous protests, public outrage and government initiatives, gender-based violence remains a plague in the Free State.
Bloemfontein Courant
www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za
