The deaths of two women, Pinky Shelembe (34) and Ntombizane Mbanjwa (44), in Richmond, South Africa, have left families grieving and a community demanding action. The women were reported missing in August before their bodies were found buried in separate shallow graves in a forest in the Gumtree area. Their deaths have become part of the national conversation on gender-based violence, but for those who knew them, Shelembe and Mbanjwa are not statistics. They are women whose absence has left families and friends facing a future without them.
The Richmond Gender Desk co-ordinator, Hlengiwe Jama, said communities could no longer wait for another woman to be killed before taking action. Jama emphasized that the scale of gender-based violence demanded action from both men and women, warning that communities could not afford to treat each killing as an isolated tragedy. Her call comes as the country grapples with a series of killings of women and girls. Jama's comments reflect the growing concern and frustration among communities and leaders.
In his address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the pain caused by the killings and said government had not done enough to protect women. Ramaphosa named several victims, including Richmond women Sibongile Mdali, Shelembe, and Mbanjwa. He stated that the violence inflicted upon the women of South Africa is a source of profound pain and national shame. Ramaphosa also acknowledged that the country had failed to do enough to prevent women from being killed and to make them safe.
The murder case against 59-year-old Nana David Moholo, who is accused of killing Shelembe and Mbanjwa, is before the Richmond Magistrate’s Court. Moholo faces two counts of murder, as well as charges relating to possession of an unlicensed firearm and discharging a firearm in a public place. He remains in custody after abandoning his bail application. The case was postponed to October 26, with the state awaiting a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether the matter should be transferred to the High Court.
The deaths prompted Richmond residents to take to the streets in solidarity with the families, with community and political leaders joining calls for justice. In Willowfontein, the discovery of the body of nine-year-old Nonjabulwenhle Nzimande in a veld in July sent shockwaves through the community after she had been reported missing. The tragedy has renewed calls for urgent action to protect women and children and to intensify the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.
Just weeks later in Impendle, the disappearance of 41-year-old Sindi Mgoza ended with the discovery of her burnt remains. Police are investigating her death and a 35-year-old suspect has appeared in court. The case has been transferred to the Pietermaritzburg High Court. These incidents have contributed to the growing concern about the safety of women and children in South Africa.
As the nation continues to grapple with the issue of gender-based violence, communities are demanding action and leaders are being called upon to do more to protect women and children. The individual stories behind the statistics of gender-based violence must not be forgotten, and the fight against this scourge requires a collective effort from both men and women. The community's call for action is clear: how many more women must die before their lives are no longer reduced to statistics?
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the pain caused by the killings and the government's failure to protect women.
- The Richmond Gender Desk co-ordinator, Hlengiwe Jama, is calling for urgent action to prevent further killings.
- The community is demanding justice for the victims and their families, and leaders are being called upon to do more to protect women and children.
