SANCO condemns murder of two women allegedly killed by their lovers

Police have identified the woman who was allegedly shot dead by her 37-year-old constable boyfriend as “Khanyisile Ntanga” widely known as “DJ Khanyi”.

Ntanga was found with a gunshot wound to the head

North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane, said the shooting incident occurred in Boitekong, on Sunday. He said when police arrived at the crime scene they found that a door had been kicked down to gain entry into the premises.

Inside they found Ntanga with a gunshot wound to her head, next to her was her boyfriend, police Constable Sello Tshukudu, who also had a gunshot wound to the head. Both of them lay dead.

Commenting on the shooting, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West condemned the alleged murder-suicide.

“We are extremely concerned that police officers who are supposed to be at the forefront of protecting women against the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) are increasingly resorting to violence and firearms to settle disputes.”

SANCO Provincial Chairperson, Paul Sebegoe

Another women was allegedly murdered by her lover in Rustenburg

SANCO said it has conveyed its condolences to the families of the deceased, he called for “united action” to be intensified to fight against the scourge of GBV, which continues to rise.

Police said on Saturday, another woman, Basetsana Kgaole, 24, was stabbed to death allegedly by her boyfriend. She was stabbed in the neck, in front of her family home, in the presence of her young children.

Kgaole was rushed to Boitekong Clinic and later transferred to Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital, unfortunately, she passed away on the way, police said the dead woman’s boyfriend was arrested in connection with her murder.

Rustenburg municipality council speaker, Sheila Mabale-Huma, urged women to report abuse as soon as it occurs and have the courage to walk away from toxic relationships.

“Women should never risk their lives by hoping that a perpetual abuser will change when their behaviour indicates something opposite to what they are saying.”

Rustenburg municipality council speaker, Sheila Mabale-Huma

The GBV scourge continues to loom over South Africa

Crime statistics released recently by the police indicate that In 2017/18, as many as 2,930 adult women were murdered in South Africa.

Last month the rape and murder of 19-year-old University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana galvanized the country to take collective action to stop the scourge.

Sebegoe said, “breaking the silence” by alerting the police of any abuse could prevent the escalation of violence. Abusive partners once outed could be disarmed by the police, suggested SANCO, adding that such a move was a crucial step in tackling the tide of GBV.

-African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Moses Mudzwiti