The man accused of shooting and killing his partner, Lindiwe Mngomezulu (40), appeared in the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court yesterday (May 19) and was granted bail of R2 000.

According to Witbank News, the man faces three charges, including murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.

The charges stem from the events of the evening of May 8, when Mngomezulu was shot dead in the couple’s home in Old Coronation.

Shooting

Initial reports stated that Mngomezulu had been sitting with her boyfriend and two neighbours, drinking beer that evening. After the neighbours left, they heard two gunshots ring out.

Alarmed, they rushed back and found the suspect, allegedly holding a handgun, while Mngomezulu lay bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head.

Police arrested the suspect at the scene and seized a 9mm pistol with 10 rounds of ammunition.

Through his lawyer, the accused stated that he had no intention of killing Mngomezulu. He claimed he was also in the process of renewing his firearm licence at the time of the incident.

Family and activist concerns

The victim’s family, particularly her sister Loliwe Ngwenya, had previously stressed that releasing the suspect could endanger others and urged the public to continue demanding justice.

Mngomezulu was laid to rest on Saturday (May 16) at her home in the Free State.

Community activists and organisations such as All Voices Matter condemned the killing, stressing that arrests alone are not enough and calling for systemic change to protect women from gender-based violence (GBV).

The accused is expected to return to court on July 8, when proceedings will continue.

“I am shocked that a man accused of murdering his partner was granted R2 000 bail when a weapon linked to the killing was seized by police. This sends a dangerous message that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) are not being taken seriously,” said local GBV activist Abongile Mcoki.

She called on the courts and the NPA to review how bail is set in GBVF and murder cases.

“Justice must protect the living, not just follow procedure. We cannot keep telling women to speak up if the system lets the accused walk free for the price of a grocery shop. The public is watching, and we will keep speaking out until the courts show that they value women’s lives,” she added.

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