Umzumbe murder case moves to Scottburgh
The chairperson of Women of Umzumbe, Dr Bongekile Sithole, said they will fill up taxis heading to Scottburgh to demand justice for Mbhele.
Non-profit organisation, Women of Umzumbe, will picket outside the Scottburgh High Court on August 7 as the murder case of Nozipho Mbhele was moved from the Umzumbe Magistrate’s Court.
Siyanda Zakwe, who is facing murder charges, briefly appeared in the Umzumbe Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday.
It is alleged Mbhele (24) was stabbed in the neck by the father of her child, close to her home in Mtwalume on May 10. She was rushed to a nearby clinic where she succumbed to her injuries.
The deceased’s father, Cyril Mbhele, said the constant postponement of the case was opening up wounds they were still trying to heal.
Mbhele said he hopes, since the case is now being moved to Scottburgh, it would be handled by people who would serve justice.
“For now, I can say I am still satisfied with the case because the magistrate said that all the evidence has been collected and all that was needed was a transfer to Scottburgh,” he said.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of Women of Umzumbe, Dr Bongekile Sithole, said they will fill up taxis to Scottburgh to demand justice for Mbhele.
She said she does not understand why the perpetrator has not been convicted and sentenced.
“We wish we could speed up the process because we do not know what is causing the delays, especially as there is evidence and the accused admitted to the crime. The dragging of this case is delaying the family’s healing process. But, we will come out in numbers to support them in court,” she said.
Sithole said they are pleading with men to refrain from abusing and killing women.
“We are humbly asking men to put down their weapons and their anger to stop the violence against women. We currently have three pending femicide cases here in Umzumbe, so enough is enough. If you see that things are not working out between you and your partner, please call things off before they get toxic and lead to violence. The ongoing gender-based violence is leaving behind too many orphans. Let us stop the violence,” she said.
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