Rocketing GBVF epidemic: a cause for concern in Newcastle
According to the most recent crime statistics, attempted murders of women increased from January to March 2023, as evidenced by cases reported at the Newcastle, Madadeni, and Osizweni police stations.
Newcastle has also seen its own fair share of GBVF cases.
The murder of Ntokozo Xaba captured local attention and highlighted the growing epidemic of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Xaba was a third year communications student and former Newcastle High School prefect who was found with multiple fatal stab wounds at her university residence in Pretoria on February 2.Witness reported seeing her leaving a party with her former boyfriend, Ngcebo Thusi, the night before.
Thusi remains behind bars after his latest bail appearance was postponed to June 13.
Xaba’s murder follows the January 12 murder of a 32-year-old woman in the servants’ quarters of a Lennoxton home. Her murder has been linked to her boyfriend in what appears to be another GBVF case.
Mary Dobbie, manager of the Newcastle Crisis Centre, told the Newcastle Advertiser that she documents all of these cases.
“In Amajuba, we have already lost eight women to known GBVF cases this year. At least 90% of the cases I’ve seen involve women being killed by someone close to them,” she said.
She wants women to know they are not alone in their experience with abuse.
“Get out before it is too late, there is life after abuse,” she concluded.
Read the article in this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser!
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