The community of Kwadela in Davel, led by the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL), wanted a man accused of murdering his girlfriend of 17 years to be denied bail at his court appearance at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 21 June.
Members of the ANCWL picketed outside the court, holding placards that read “No Bail” during the bail hearing.
According to reports, Ms Sphiwe Ntombela was murdered by her boyfriend on Tuesday night, 12 June.
The 40-year-old boyfriend was arrested on Wednesday, 22 June and charged with murder.
There are conflicting reports as to how Ms Ntomblea was killed with Davel Police spokesman, Const Portia Nkosi, saying the Davel Police received a complaint from the Bethal Hospital about a woman who was run over by a vehicle and brought to the hospital.
“On arrival members of the police found the woman had died and it was alleged that her boyfriend had run her over,” Const Nkosi said.
However, when the Highvelder spoke to family members, they alleged the boyfriend had dragged Ms Ntombela to a nearby field and smashed her head in with a hammer.
ANCWL leader, Ms Elizabeth Msezane, appealed to men to stop the killing and abuse of women.
“We urge our sons to stop this crisis of killing our daughters when relationships turn sour,” Ms Msezane said.
The case was postponed to Tuesday, 26 June and the suspect remains in police custody.
