South Africa has been stricken by the senseless death of another woman, Asithandile “Kwasa” Lugalo, at the hands of a man.
Kwasa Lugalo: ‘She was killed in front of her baby sister’
The 19-year-old from eDutywa, a rural village in the Eastern Cape, was found stabbed to death on Monday.
The incident, according to reports from Times Live, allegedly took place at Lugalo’s residence and even worse, in front of the Wits University first-year student’s 10-year-old sister and their 20-year-old cousin.
The motive behind the brutal murder is the subject of speculation, at this stage. However, reports suggest that Lugalo was on the verge of leaving an abusive relationship with her boyfriend when the incident happened.
Her uncle Simo Lugalo revealed that by the time helped had been called out to the crime scene, it was too late.
“Her wounds were too deep. Doctors couldn’t help her because she suffered a fatal blow which destroyed some of her arteries,” he said.
Miss Universe condemns senseless GBV murder
Lugalo’s death has reinvigorated calls for the justice system to play a role in fighting gender-based violence (GBV).
In a tweet, Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi sent her heartfelt condolences to the Lugalo family for the loss of her little sister’s best friend.
Who killed Kwasa Lugalo? What we know about the suspect
Eastern Cape authorities have confirmed that the suspect, a 23-year-old Dutywa resident, has been placed in police custody at the Butterworth Hospital, following his attempt to take his own life.
According to the province’s police commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga, eyewitnesses claim to have seen the suspect chasing Lugalo towards her residence shortly before she was found bleeding to death with multiple gaping stab wounds.
While we have a clear indication of who the suspected murderer is, due to the intricacies of the law, we are not able to state his name.
“He is currently under police guard. Once he has recovered and has been discharged, he will be charged for murder and taken to the Dutywa magistrate’s court to face justice,” Ntshinga revealed.
Wits University issued a statement calling on the government to adjust legislation that essentially protects suspects of GBV against public shame.
“It is time the government takes responsibility for its citizens. Implement the many laws created to protect individuals, hold to account those who fail to do their jobs, and fire those whose actions or inaction lead to the death of those who are abused. We are tired of mourning the loss of the lives of women across SA,” the statement read.
At this time, matters in the murder case have been halted while the suspect recovered from the failed suicide attempt. The Lugalo family is hoping that justice will play its role in removing the alleged killer from society for a very long time.
“We are calling for the authorities to give us justice by making sure that when he wakes up, he is sent to jail.
“He took someone special from our family. Asithandile’s mother is in a bad state. We are supporting her with everything we can do,” her uncle said.