A Tribute to the Lives Lost to Gender-Based Violence During Lockdown

On the 17^th of June 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the further opening of the economy and the recent heartbreaking cases of gender-based violence in South Africa. Ramaphosa stated that in the past few weeks, no fewer than 21 women and children have been murdered and he went on to call gender-based violence the country’s second pandemic – and we couldn’t agree more.

We want to pay tribute to the women and children that have recently lost their lives at the hands of their abusers during the lockdown. We can only imagine that there are many more stories that have gone unheard, not reaching the media, however, our condolences go out to every person that has lost a mother, sister, daughter or friend to gender-based violence.

Here are some of the most recent lives that were lost in South Africa due to gender-based violence:

Tshegofatso Pule

Tshegofatso Pule was 28 years old and 8 months pregnant when she was killed. Pule was found hanging from a tree in the Johannesburg suburb of Roodepoort on the 5^th of June 2020, and had been stabbed through her chest. Pule’s death made headlines internationally and caused outrage on social media and the hashtag #JusticeForTshego trended on Twitter when the news broke. 31-year-old Muzikayise Malephane has been charged with third-degree murder.

Nwabisa Mgwandela

31-year-old Nwabisa Mgwandela was allegedly killed by three men who assaulted her and left her body hanging in the house on the 7^th of June 2020 at Msunduse Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal. Her 52-year-old husband Bhekukwanda Cele has appeared at the Ndwedwe Magistrates Court for charges of murder.

Altecia and Raynecia Kortjie

Altecia and her 7-year-old daughter Raynecia were missing for two days before they were found dead in a house in Belhar, Western Cape on the 12^th of June 2020. The 27-year-old mother and daughter were stabbed to death and 28-year-old male, Ryan Kyle Smith was arrested in connection with the murder and has appeared in court.

Nompumelelo Tshaka

45-year-old Nompumelelo Tshaka was murdered and dumped in an open field in Mthatha, and was found on the 5^th of June 2020. Tshaka’s alleged killer Ayanda Zenani has since been arrested and appeared in Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on the 11^th of June 2020.

Lindelwa Peni

43-year-old Lindelwa Peni was found dead in a bushy area in Reeston, East London and was allegedly stabbed to death by her 61-year-old ex-boyfriend Welcome Madoda Yose. The mother of two was reported kidnapped on the 12^th of June 2020 and was found dead on the 15^th of June 2020.

Sibongiseni “Nomfazi” Gabada

In May, 34-year-old Nomfazi Gabada was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Sithembele Klaas. Gabada’s dismembered, half-naked body was found behind her boyfriend’s shack and stuffed in a sports bag in Khayelitsha, Western Cape. The suspect was re-arrested on the 13th of June 2020 after the charges were provisionally withdrawn.

It is deeply disturbing and soul-shattering that violence against women and children has increased after the lockdown regulations were alleviated. At JOKO, we believe that we can all play our part in ending the silence around domestic violence.

In partnership with POWA, we hope to fight the scourge of gender-based violence by donating R1 from every pack of tea sold to the NGO – which advocates for women’s rights and also provides services such as shelter, counselling and legal advice for victims of abuse. The donations amount to R5 million every year to help create safe spaces where victims of domestic violence can end the silence, and end the violence.

In the words of Cyril Ramaphosa: “As a country, we find ourselves in the midst of not one, but two, devastating epidemics. Although very different in their nature and cause, they can both be overcome – if we work together, if we each take personal responsibility for our actions and if we each take care of each other.’’