Illovo gender-based violence victim laid to rest
Amidst a surge in gender-based violence crimes, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli calls on the community to join forces in the fight against GBV.

DURING the recent funeral of Ayabonga Mjilo, who was allegedly killed by her work manager and buried in his yard on Christmas Day last year, KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli said there needs to be a national dialogue to get to the root cause of why so many women are killed by people they know.
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Mjilo (23), who stayed with family in Illovo township, was buried at her ancestral home in Highflats. Mfanafuthi Kunene (37), was charged with her murder after surveillance footage showed him and Mjilo dining at an Umhlanga Rocks restaurant on December 24. Later at his home in Amaotana in Inanda, he allegedly strangled her to death during a fight.
During his first court appearance on January 6, Kunene abandoned his bail application and will remain behind bars until his next appearance on February 26.

Premier Ntuli said the continued cases of gender-based violence are too painful to bear.
“What is happening to men in this province for them to keep doing this to women? I have attended many such funerals and it is painful. There’s an urgent need for collective action to eradicate gender-based violence,” said Ntuli.
He called on communities, traditional leaders, and civil society to join forces in the fight against violence targeting women and children.
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