Two men convicted of the brutal murder of Nosipho ‘Nomdundu’ Mafani (23) from KwaNokuthula in the Western Cape have been sentenced.

The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has welcomed the sentencing of Mboneli Msila and Monde Tshemese, who were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court of South Africa Western Cape Division, sitting in Knysna, for their role in the conspiracy to commit the murder of Mafani, who had a mental disability.

Msila, the adoptive father of Mafani, orchestrated the murder to claim funeral policy payouts totalling R600 000.

He hired three men, Mbulelo Jack, Monde Tshemese and Lungisile Lucas, to carry out the hit.

Chikunga says gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) remains a national crisis in South Africa, with disproportionately high rates of violence against women, girls and vulnerable groups, including women in female-headed households, women with disabilities and black African women.

“GBVF is a deeply rooted societal issue. Women with disabilities, in particular, are often subjected to extreme forms of sexual and physical violence. Despite being one of the most vulnerable groups, their experiences continue to be overlooked and under-addressed in society,” Chikunga says.

The minister highlighted that Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, which places strong emphasis on justice, safety and protection, aims to address systemic shortcomings in the legal system and seeks to enhance the overall response to GBVF cases.

It also aims to ensure that survivors have access to justice and are afforded safety and protection through improvements to the legal framework and its implementation.

Although often committed in private settings, the minister warned that GBVF is not a private matter, but a serious public crime.

She acknowledged that GBVF is an ongoing diabolic act of violation of human rights, particularly ‘the rights of persons with disabilities should never be justified and must be confronted with all resources available’.

“It deprives women and girls of their fundamental human rights, including the right to live free from violence, discrimination and violation of bodily integrity. Failure to take meaningful action to prevent, prosecute and punish such acts constitutes a violation of human rights.

“All incidents of physical or sexual abuse, intimidation or threats must be reported to the nearest SAPS station to obtain a case number and/or protection order. Alternatively, victims of sexual offences can seek assistance from the nearest Thuthuzela Care Centre or similar support facilities,” the minister says.

Government has established the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre to provide 24-hour support to victims of abuse and violence.

“We share a strong reminder that our government will continue to stand firm to protect and defend human rights as enshrined by the constitution,” Chikunga says. – SAnews.gov.za

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