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IOL News
5 days 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
5 days 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]
