MATSAPHA – A textile worker died tragically after being strangled and stabbed by her boyfriend, who left a knife lodged in her neck.
The incident occurred at Mathangeni in Matsapha, under Kwaluseni Inkhundla, on Tuesday morning. The deceased, Bekiwe Vilakati (32) of Sithobelweni, was found lying in a pool of blood inside her rented one-room flat.
According to a source close to the matter, Vilakati, who worked in one of the textile factories in Matsapha, had reported to her family members and workplace that she was having problems with her boyfriend, Ayanda Dlamini (31) of Bethany, who was allegedly abusive.
The source alleged that Dlamini, who had been staying with Vilakati for over three months, would often strangle her or assault her with his hands during arguments. Vilakati reportedly said he threatened to kill her if she went to the police. “In fact, she said the boyfriend told her that even if she reports him to the police, he is not scared of them,” the source said.
Neighbours revealed that Vilakati had tried several times to ask Dlamini to give her space by either going to live at his home or visiting other girlfriends, but he refused. On Tuesday morning, some neighbours saw her walking in the yard wearing a sleeping gown, possibly seeking help. “Probably, she was preparing to go to work when he killed her. He likely strangled her first to prevent her from yelling for help,” the source alleged.
After the killing, Dlamini allegedly took Vilakati’s cellphone and locked her corpse inside the flat. Since she had reported issues at work, a colleague and neighbour went to check on her, after she failed to report for work and could not be reached through her phone.
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‘How will GBV emergency declaration end violence?’
MBABANE – How will declaring a state of emergency over gender-based violence (GBV) eradicate it?
This is a rhetorical question posed by the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Thulisile Dladla, when sought for comment on the escalating number of women losing their lives due to this scourge.
The DPM said government is always trying to bring solutions to this societal challenge. She said among these solutions was ensuring that the citizenry is accessible to a variety of funds set to empower members of society to be financially independent.
She said this was done as it had been established that among the causes of GBV, unemployment contributed immensely. Dladla said it had been discovered that some people decided to have multiple relations due to their needs, which was wrong; while also pinpointing that industrialisation had also contributed through the locations established to construct accommodation houses for the employed in the industries.
“This results in people being exposed to a number of things, which usually contribute to gender violence. Our appeal is that people should always take note of the early signs of violence and coming back to the incident you are talking about, it is really sad. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family for such a tragic loss,” Dladla said.
Activist urges GBV emergency after woman’s murder
MBABANE – How many women and children should be killed by perpetrators for government to declare GBV a state of national emergency?
This was a question posed by Colani Hlatjwako, the Africa Regional Coordinator for the One Billion Rising Campaign, following the brutal murder of a 32-year-old woman who was allegedly stabbed by her 31-year-old boyfriend at Mathangeni, Matsapha.
A national emergency is a declaration made by the head of State that grants special powers to address an extraordinary crisis.
This declaration allows government to undertake actions that may not be feasible under normal circumstances, such as reallocating resources or implementing targeted policies to manage the crisis effectively. Such declarations can be made in response to various issues, including natural disasters, threats to national security or public health crises.
The woman’s lifeless body was found with a knife still embedded in her neck in her rented flat.
Hlatjwako questioned whether all women and children should be killed for gender-based violence to be taken seriously and receive the attention it deserves. She expressed her belief that declaring GBV a state of national emergency could provide a better approach to addressing violence against women and children in the country.
*Full article available in our publication.
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