Amid disturbing messages and footage that points to alleged gender-based violence shared by slain Namhla Mtwa’s sister, Major Bhekizulu maintains his innocence. Images via Facebook: @Sanga Nozintaba
#JusticeForNamhla: Slain Namhla Mtwa’s boyfriend says he is ‘innocent’
Namhla Mtwa’s boyfriend Major Bhekizulu says he has ‘done nothing wrong’ and wants SA to step back so the law can take its course.
Amid disturbing messages and footage that points to alleged gender-based violence shared by slain Namhla Mtwa’s sister, Major Bhekizulu maintains his innocence. Images via Facebook: @Sanga Nozintaba
South Africans have been left outraged by the horrific murder of a young Eastern Cape woman, Singwa Namhla Mtwa, who was found dead in her car at her Sidwadwa home, in Mthatha, on 21 April. The 34-year-old was shot nine times in her driveway after arriving home from work.
Since then, her sister Sanga Nozintaba has shared a number of photos and videos of a badly beaten and bruised Singwa. According to Sanga, she allegedly suffered the abuse at the hands of her boyfriend, a married businessman named Major Mfesane Bhekizulu.
The accused has since denied all allegations made against him and says that he is innocent.
Namhla Mtwa’s boyfriend Major denies having anything to do with her death
Gender-based violence (GBV) has once again been thrust into the spotlight in South Africa as another woman was found brutally murdered on 21 April.
Taking to Facebook all week last week, Sanga shared photos and videos of Namhla covered in bruises which — according to her sister — were sustained from her alleged abusive relationship with Major.
Sanga also shared screenshots from conversations she alleges were between Namhla and Major and tell a dark tale of the horror she was subjected to.
In many of the messages, Namhla is reportedly begging to visit her family, asking permission to leave her flat, and apologising for upsetting him.
At one point, she pleads with him to visit a doctor after sustaining injuries from a beating he allegedly gave her, but he refuses and allegedly threatens her with another beating.
A different screenshot shows him becoming angry because she removed his photo from her WhatsApp profile picture.
Meanwhile, Major has denied any involvement in the murder and says that he is innocent.
‘Allow the law to run its course’
Speaking to News24 on Sunday 22 May, Major asked outraged South Africans to let the police do their job without interference.
“I have done nothing wrong. I am innocent and would like the public to allow the law to run its course because residents are now jeopardising the case by going after me and this might ruin the chance of getting the real perpetrators,” he told the publication.
He reportedly refused to answer any other questions.
#JusticeForNamhla
Meanwhile, the case has been trending all week as South African social media users expressed their outrage at what they label as a lack of action against gender-based violence.
Thousands of tweets have been dedicated to #justicefornamhla as locals call on the South African police to take action against Major.
Many people have been left horrified by the photos and videos of Namhla who allegedly suffered abuse for nine years before dying while reportedly trying to break up with her abuser.
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