Latest news with #IlithaLabantu
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
Khayelitsha community rallies for justice in memory of Lolitha Kowa
Residents of Khayelitsha held a motorcade to honour 7-year-old Lolitha Kowa, whose tragic rape and murder have ignited a renewed call to action against gender-based violence. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers In a display of solidarity, anti-gender-based violence organisations and local residents held a solemn motorcade through Khayelitsha on Thursday to honour 7-year-old Lolitha Kowa. Her tragic rape and murder have ignited renewed outrage within the community. Kowa went missing on July 22, and her lifeless body was discovered the following morning, just 1.5 kilometres from her home in Kuyasa. The horrific details reveal that she had been raped and murdered with a screwdriver. Neighbours Odwa Jack and his partner Nokuthula Matyeseni have been arrested in connection with the crime. They are expected to return to the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court on Friday as the bail process continues. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The memorial motorcade was organised by the anti-GBV organisation Ilitha Labantu, in partnership with Harare police and other violence prevention stakeholders. The group lit candles and held prayers where Kowa's body was found in Nambuzane Street. Ilitha Labantu spokesperson, Siyabulela Monakali, said the event formed part of their *#Uthuleleni* campaign, which aims to confront the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. 'The sad reality, particularly here in 2025, is the growing trend of violence perpetrated against children by those entrusted with their care, mothers, fathers, caregivers,' said Monakali. 'This is an indication of the moral degeneration in our society. As an organisation that has advocated for the rights of women and children for over 36 years, we are saying: enough is enough. The Lolitha Kowa case is part of a broader pattern of violence against children in our communities. We cannot claim to be making any progress until children are free from all forms of violence and abuse.' Amadoda Aqotho founder Lumkile Sizila said men must take accountability and lead in the fight against abuse. 'What they did was ruthless. The fact that she was murdered with a screwdriver shows this was a deliberate act. Khayelitsha is being seen nationally as a place where women and children are murdered — this must stop.' Bishop Zamuxolo Mfihlo, who also joined the prayer service, condemned those who called for sympathy for the accused. 'We don't want them to come out. They might do the same thing to someone else's child. This is the third such case in recent months. We want the investigating officer to ensure a thorough investigation, and for the accused to spend the rest of their lives in jail.' The motorcade ended where Kowa's body was found on July 23, with participants lighting candles and holding a prayer service before dispersing. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Community motorcade in Khayelitsha demands justice for Lolitha Kowa
The Ilitha Labantu motorcade comes in response to the brutal murder of 7-year-old Lolitha Kowa. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media Anti-gender-based violence organisations and community members held a solemn motorcade through Khayelitsha in honour of seven-year-old Lolitha Kowa, whose rape and murder have sparked renewed outrage. Lolitha went missing on July 22. Her lifeless body was discovered the following morning, 1.5 kilometres from her home in Kuyasa, Khayelitsha. She had been raped and murdered with a screwdriver. Neighbours Odwa Jack and his partner Nokuthula Matyeseni have been arrested in connection with the crime. They are expected to return to the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court on Friday as the bail process continues. The memorial motorcade was organised by the anti-GBV organisation Ilitha Labantu, in partnership with Harare police and other violence prevention stakeholders. The group lit candles and held prayers where Lolitha's body was found in Nambuzane Street. Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said the event formed part of their *#Uthuleleni* campaign, which aims to confront the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. 'The sad reality, particularly here in 2025, is the growing trend of violence perpetrated against children by those entrusted with their care, mothers, fathers, caregivers,' said Monakali. 'This is an indication of the moral degeneration in our society. As an organisation that has advocated for the rights of women and children for over 36 years, we are saying: enough is enough. The Lolitha Kowa case is part of a broader pattern of violence against children in our communities. We cannot claim to be making any progress until children are free from all forms of violence and abuse.' Amadoda Aqotho founder Lumkile Sizila said men must take accountability and lead in the fight against abuse. 'We handed out pamphlets to raise awareness about where people can find help. We also went to the site where Lolitha's body was found to pray, and to call for the suspects to be denied bail,' he said. 'What they did was ruthless. The fact that she was murdered with a screwdriver shows this was a deliberate act. Khayelitsha is being seen nationally as a place where women and children are murdered — this must stop.' Bishop Zamuxolo Mfihlo, who also joined the prayer service, condemned those who called for sympathy for the accused. 'We must stop praying for those who rape and kill children,' he said. 'What kind of mother allows a child to be raped and murdered in this way? The men in jail must see what they do with Odwa, and women must do the same with Nokuthula; that is our prayer. 'We don't want them to come out. They might do the same thing to someone else's child. This is the third such case in recent months. We want the investigating officer to ensure a thorough investigation, and for the accused to spend the rest of their lives in jail.' The motorcade ended where Lolitha's body was found on July 23 in Nambuzane Street, with participants lighting candles and holding a prayer service before dispersing. [email protected]
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Another burned woman's body found at Watloo train station in Pretoria
Gauteng police have uncovered a fourth burned female body at Watloo train station in Silvertondale, in Pretoria. Image: Boxer Ngwenya Gauteng police have discovered the fourth body of a woman found burned at the Watloo train station on Stormvoel Street in Silvertondale on Monday, weeks after similar discoveries of three bodies last month. Three other bodies were found in two separate locations in Pretoria last month. Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said Silverton police were called to the scene where the fourth burned body of a woman was discovered at Watloo train station, Stormvoel Street in Silvertondale, on August 4, 2025. The horrific discovery occurred at about 3.30pm. 'Three burned bodies were found between Watloo and Denneboom train stations between June and July 2025,' Muridili said. She said no one has been arrested yet but the task team established to investigate the murders is working around the clock following possible leads to trace the perpetrators. 'The team comprises seasoned detectives, crime intelligence, forensic and crime scene experts.' 'Police are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation or assist in the apprehension of the suspects to please call the nearest police station or call crime stop on 08600 10111. Information can also be given anonymously via MySAPS App that can be downloaded from any smartphone,' Muridili added. In a separate incident, IOL News reported on Monday that police have confirmed the two women from Mpumalanga who were torched in July have died. The 35-year-old man arrested for the crimes will now have his charges changed from attempted murder to murder in the Emalahlenu Magistrate's Court. On Wednesday, July 23, at about 6pm, the suspect set alight the 21-year-old mother of his children and her relative, a 23-year-old woman who allegedly intervened during the incident in Vosman. At the time of the incident, provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the two women sustained serious burn wounds and were rushed to the hospital by a member of the community. The suspect was arrested at about 9pm on the same night of the crime. The two women, who were fighting for their lives in the hospital, died at the weekend. 'The 21-year-old woman sadly passed away on Sunday, August 3, while the 23-year-old woman sadly succumbed to her injuries on Friday, August 1,' police said. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday, August 7. Anti-gender-based violence organisation Ilitha Labantu expressed concern over the horrific incident.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Tragic end for Mpumalanga women torched in violent incident
Robin-Lee Francke | Published 6 hours ago Police have confirmed the two women from Mpumalanga who were torched in July have died. The 35-year-old man arrested for the crimes will now have his charges changed from attempted murder to murder in the Emalahlenu Magistrate's Court. On Wednesday, July 23, at about 6pm, the suspect set alight the 21-year-old mother of his children and her relative, a 23-year-old woman who allegedly intervened during the incident in Vosman. At the time of the incident, provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the two women sustained serious burn wounds and were rushed to the hospital by a member of the community. The suspect was arrested at about 9pm on the same night of the crime. The two women, who were fighting for their lives in the hospital, died at the weekend. 'The 21-year-old woman sadly passed away on Sunday, August 3, while the 23-year-old woman sadly succumbed to her injuries on Friday, August 1,' police said. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday, August 7. Anti-gender-based violence organisation Ilitha Labantu expressed concern over the horrific incident. Speaking to IOL, the organisation's spokesperson, Siyabulela Monakali, said this tragedy is yet another painful reminder of the brutal and relentless violence that women continue to face in South Africa. 'It is made even more devastating by the fact that such atrocities appear to escalate during Women's Month, a time intended to honour the struggles and triumphs of women. Instead, we are confronted by acts of extreme cruelty that highlight the persistent crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in our country,' Monakali said. He said South Africa's femicide rate remains five times higher than the global average. 'These are not abstract statistics. They represent real lives lost, mothers, daughters and sisters, whose deaths often occur at the hands of those closest to them. What makes this moment particularly sad is not only the frequency of these killings but the sheer brutality with which they are carried out,' he said. Monakali said these acts of violence cannot be normalised. 'We cannot normalise this. It is not acceptable. And yet it continues, sustained by systemic failures that have allowed GBVF to thrive in a society where women's lives are consistently devalued. From inadequate policing to weak prosecutorial outcomes and the lack of safe alternatives for women at risk, these murders reflect a broader collapse in the structures meant to protect. 'Ilitha Labantu calls for swift justice in this case but also demands that government and relevant stakeholders stop managing GBVF through performative gestures and start implementing real, long-term interventions. Violence against women has reached pandemic scales and we all need to play our part to eliminate this scourge,' Monakali said. He added that until women are truly free from all forms of violence and abuse, we cannot claim to be building a society that values justice, dignity or equality. [email protected] IOL
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Tragic end for Mpumalanga women torched in violent incident
The women succumbed to their injuries at the weekend. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Police have confirmed the two women from Mpumalanga who were torched in July have died. The 35-year-old man arrested for the crimes will now have his charges changed from attempted murder to murder in the Emalahlenu Magistrate's Court. On Wednesday, July 23, at about 6pm, the suspect set alight the 21-year-old mother of his children and her relative, a 23-year-old woman who allegedly intervened during the incident in Vosman. At the time of the incident, provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the two women sustained serious burn wounds and were rushed to the hospital by a member of the community. The suspect was arrested at about 9pm on the same night of the crime. The two women, who were fighting for their lives in the hospital, died at the weekend. 'The 21-year-old woman sadly passed away on Sunday, August 3, while the 23-year-old woman sadly succumbed to her injuries on Friday, August 1,' police said. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday, August 7. Anti-gender-based violence organisation Ilitha Labantu expressed concern over the horrific incident. Speaking to IOL, the organisation's spokesperson, Siyabulela Monakali, said this tragedy is yet another painful reminder of the brutal and relentless violence that women continue to face in South Africa. 'It is made even more devastating by the fact that such atrocities appear to escalate during Women's Month, a time intended to honour the struggles and triumphs of women. Instead, we are confronted by acts of extreme cruelty that highlight the persistent crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in our country,' Monakali said. He said South Africa's femicide rate remains five times higher than the global average. 'These are not abstract statistics. They represent real lives lost, mothers, daughters and sisters, whose deaths often occur at the hands of those closest to them. What makes this moment particularly sad is not only the frequency of these killings but the sheer brutality with which they are carried out,' he said. Monakali said these acts of violence cannot be normalised. 'We cannot normalise this. It is not acceptable. And yet it continues, sustained by systemic failures that have allowed GBVF to thrive in a society where women's lives are consistently devalued. From inadequate policing to weak prosecutorial outcomes and the lack of safe alternatives for women at risk, these murders reflect a broader collapse in the structures meant to protect. 'Ilitha Labantu calls for swift justice in this case but also demands that government and relevant stakeholders stop managing GBVF through performative gestures and start implementing real, long-term interventions. Violence against women has reached pandemic scales and we all need to play our part to eliminate this scourge,' Monakali said. He added that until women are truly free from all forms of violence and abuse, we cannot claim to be building a society that values justice, dignity or equality. IOL
