The murder of a mother of five at the Mafu homestead in Bhomela has left the Bhomela community shocked and horrified.
Xolile Mkhize (35) was bludgeoned to death with a hammer on Monday this week, allegedly by her husband and the father of her children, the youngest of whom is two years old.
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It is believed one of the children witnessed the attack.
Ms Mkhize was killed just a day after returning from her father’s funeral.
“She was under a dark cloud, still mourning her father and her uncle, who is to be buried this Saturday,” said one family member.
The shock of the murder is all the greater as according to the family, the couple was loving and they were not aware of any serious issues in the relationship.
Nqobile Mafu could not hold back the tears when the Herald spoke to her on Tuesday morning.
“One of the children saw what was happening and called us to intervene,” she said.
“We were too late. We found Xolile lying on the floor, with blood everywhere in the room.
“She had been so badly beaten she was almost unrecognisable. She was pale and losing so much blood,” said the sobbing Nqobile.
Ms Mkhize was rushed to a nearby clinic where the family was reportedly told to take her straight to Port Shepstone Regional Hospital due to the severity of her injuries.
That evening, they received the call they were dreading – Xolile had died.
“The abuse women suffer at the hands of men is sickening. And what about these children who will now grow up without their mother?” asked one family member.
Ms Mkhize was described as a woman who protected and loved her children and family at all times.
Although she and her husband were unemployed, reliant on the children’s grant money, she always made sure her family was well cared for.
“She was a true makoti and a sister to us. She did not deserve to die like that.”
Her husband has handed himself over to police.
According to Port Shepstone SAPS spokesman, Captain Petros Mpinge, he appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday this week.
“The case was postponed to November 28 for further investigation, and he remains in police custody.”
Port Shepstone Regional Hospital has called for the public to join its walk against gender-based violence, setting off from the hospital on Wednesday, November 27 at 8.30am.
The campaign will coincide with the the national 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which kicks off on November 25 and runs until December 10.
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