#16DaysofActivism2022: Mom of three stabbed to death in street

Reiger Park mother Marilyn ‘Becky’ Matthysen (37) was found stabbed to death and lying in a pool of blood in Williams Street, Reiger Park, on December 2.

Her aunt, Abigail Swart, said the family suspect her boyfriend killed her.

“Becky told us a number of times that her boyfriend was abusing her and she wanted to leave him and return to her husband, who she shared three children with.

“When her cousin told me on Friday, at around 21:30, to come to Williams Street because my niece had been killed, I was shocked. I went to the crime scene and found her lifeless body in a pool of blood with her boyfriend handcuffed next to her body.

“The community said they beat him because he was trying to run away. A knife and broken bottle were found near her body,” Swart told the Boksburg Advertiser on Thursday. Becky’s body was only taken away at 02:00 after the police arrested her boyfriend as the suspect,” said Swart.

She added that they were surprised when they went to the Reiger Park Police Station on December 7 and heard that the boyfriend had been released from prison due to insufficient evidence.

“We are appealing to eyewitnesses to come forward and help the police with the case, so the real culprit can be arrested. The family is very saddened and we need closure and clarity. It is disgraceful that this could happen during the 16 Days of Activism campaign,” she said.

Another aunt of the deceased, Elaine Oliphant, said the family is hurting about the loss of a lovely person.

“No one deserves to die like this. I am pleading with the community to come forward to help us get justice. I’m sure someone saw something and would like to take this opportunity to clear the name of my niece’s husband. He is not the one who killed her.”

Becky’s husband, Chiliqiyah, said he is hurting because he loved his wife and she was the mother to their three children.

“Our children are eight, 13 and 16 years old,” he said.

“Becky was a wonderful person who loved people. She didn’t hate anyone and didn’t deserve this.”
A burial for Becky was scheduled to take place on December 10.

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The Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson, Constable Johannes Msimanga, confirmed a suspect was arrested in Williams Street on December 2 after the murder.

“Our police officers received a tip-off from the suspect’s mother, who claimed her son had killed his girlfriend. Officers went to the house and found the man’s girlfriend lying in a pool of blood on the street and arrested the 43-year-old man, who was sitting next to the body with what we believe are the murder weapons next to him,” said Msimanga.

He confirmed the suspect (the boyfriend) was released due to insufficient evidence.

A community member of Reiger Park, Avis Phillips (76), said GBV, abuse, murder and crime are rife in their community and have become worse.

“Taverns are the main culprits in the increasing number of crimes, abuse, murder and GBV. I heard a girl was killed after leaving a tavern last week, which is sad,” said Phillips.

A caregiver of the Reiger Park Community Crisis Centre, Louise Mcklopper, said they are doing everything in their power to fight GBV and abuse.

“We initiate GBV and abuse campaigns along with the SAPS and other organisations every week. We deal with victims and cases beyond our expertise are referred to FAMSA,” she said.

Any person experiencing GBV or abuse may call Mercy Haven on 010 444 0109, Louise Mcklopper on 063 231 0648 or the Reiger Park Community Crisis Centre’s manager Elaine Appies on 072 127 8090.

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