For Ntsiki Mjali, the pain of losing her daughter is still impossible to process.

Standing among hundreds of Midrand residents who gathered in Noordwyk on May 17 for a peaceful protest against gender-based violence (GBV) and lawlessness, the grieving mother fought back tears as she spoke about the brutal death of her 22-year-old daughter, Minentle Lilitha Mjali.

The march, attended by community members, activists, and residents, was held in honour of Minentle, who was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered.

Read more: Midrand protest planned against gender-based violence in the area

Her body was found hidden under a bed at a property in Noordwyk on April 24 after police reportedly received an anonymous tip-off.

Police have confirmed that four suspects have since been arrested in connection with the murder and appeared in court on May 5, but for Mjali, the arrests have done little to ease the heartbreak of losing a daughter she described as full of promise and preparing for her future.

Next year, Minentle was expected to enrol at the University of Johannesburg. “It’s heartbreaking for me. It’s a terrible pain. I never thought I could experience something like this.”

As protesters carried placards and demanded justice, many gathered around the grieving mother, whose emotional account left several residents in tears. Mjali said one of the most painful moments for her was meeting the man accused of being involved in her daughter’s murder, someone the family alleges was Minentle’s boyfriend.

“First of all, I didn’t even know the guy. I’ve been told that he’s the boyfriend that was involved in this. I think my main reason for seeing him was to picture my daughter’s last conversations, last words, and who she spoke to.”

Also read: GBVF continues to haunt Midrand streets and homes

Ntsiki said what disturbed her most was the lack of remorse she felt during the conversation. “He was not remorseful. It was just a normal meeting where he meets his in-law, you understand. At that time, I was broken.”

She also recalled the agonising days before learning the truth about her daughter’s disappearance. “I think it was about a week before I got to find out. I kept on calling her, and I couldn’t reach her.”

“On the Friday, when I was coming back from work, I received a call from my sister to say Minentle is at the police station. My first question was, what happened?

Why is she at the police station and not here with me? She didn’t want to tell me what was going on. I called my other sister, and, apparently, they spoke among themselves to tell the truth as to what happened.”

Speaking during the march, Charlene Van Onselen, from the Noordwyk Residents Association, said the community wanted the case to receive national attention.

She said residents were deeply concerned about violence against women, alleged repeat offenders, and what they described as systemic failures that allow dangerous individuals to continue moving freely within communities.

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