CARLETONVILLE – Members of the South African Students Congress (SASCO), the ANC Youth League, ANC Women’s League, and the ANC’s regional leadership gathered outside the Oberholzer Magistrate’s Court on Monday, demanding justice following the brutal murder of a 19-year-old Westcol student.

The accused, a 38-year-old man, appeared in court on charges of rape and murder after the tragic death of Kathlego Makuwa, a student at Carletonville’s Westcol campus. Her lifeless body was discovered on May 27 at her Beryl Street boarding house after a friend went to check on her when she didn’t attend class.

Police investigations have since revealed chilling developments — the accused is now linked to at least six other serious crimes, including murders and rapes committed in Carletonville, Fochville, Westonaria, Johannesburg, and even the Eastern Cape. Authorities now suspect he could be a serial killer and serial rapist.

Westcol’s Student Representative Council (SRC) president, Nthabiseng Tsoenyane, expressed deep concern over the psychological toll of such crimes.

“There is no space for gender-based violence (GBV). We are worried as no one is checking how this is affecting us psychologically,” Tsoenyane said.

Sabelo Dingiswayo, a member of the ANC’s regional executive committee, emphasized the party’s commitment to ensuring justice:

“Murders like this, as well as other GBV, cannot be tolerated. Women must immediately contact authorities if a man threatens them.”

He added that the ANC structures would continue to monitor the case closely, even if it is transferred to the High Court, and called on other political parties and stakeholders to stand with the victim’s family and take a strong stance against GBV.

Meanwhile, Westcol students also held a march to the Carletonville Police Station on June 11 to protest the murder and express their grief and frustration.

The case was postponed until July 28, and the accused remains in custody as investigations continue.