Call on communities to protect women and vulnerable groups from GBV after MUT student’s murder

Xolile Mbatha, an MUT Electrical Engineering student, was allegedly killed by a male student at Ark Royal Residence in Durban, one of MUT’s externally leased residences, on Sunday morning. Picture: Keran Ducasse

Xolile Mbatha, an MUT Electrical Engineering student, was allegedly killed by a male student at Ark Royal Residence in Durban, one of MUT’s externally leased residences, on Sunday morning. Picture: Keran Ducasse

Published Aug 2, 2022

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Durban — The brutal murder of a Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) student has led the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza to call on communities to ensure that women and vulnerable groups were protected from gender-based violence (GBV).

Xolile Mbatha, a MUT Electrical Engineering student, was allegedly killed by a male student at Ark Royal Residence in Durban, one of MUT’s externally leased residences, on Sunday morning.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said police were investigating.

“On July 31, 2022, at 7.30am, Point police were called to a residence at Mahatma Gandhi Road where a 23-year-old female was stabbed and killed,” Gwala said.

“It is alleged that the victim was killed by a known suspect following a domestic dispute. She was declared dead on the scene.”

Khoza said that continued acts of women abuse were totally unacceptable.

“South Africa is a country that has a Constitution that puts a high value on human rights, with a strong emphasis on gender equity. We have also enacted laws to ensure that people who violate women’s rights are given jail sentences that benefit their crimes. However, incidents of women abuse continue to plague our society, which means we need to devise new ways to ensure the protection of women,” Khoza said.

“It, therefore, becomes important that all community structures should be engaged to ensure that they also play their role in the fight against women abuse. We are engaging NGOs, traditional leaders and faith-based organisations, among others, to play their role in the fight against gender-based violence. We are encouraging all citizens to keep their eyes and ears open so that they can fight gender-based violence. We must all work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that people who abuse women have no place in society.”

Khoza said the department would not relent in its fight to ensure the protection of women.

“Women have rights, like any other citizen. It is, therefore, shocking to note that almost on a daily basis, we receive reports on women abuse, with some losing their lives at the hands of men. There is something seriously wrong with our society, and it must be addressed urgently. Women, children, the elderly and all members of the vulnerable groups should enjoy love and protection from society. It is a shame that we are a society that cannot take care of certain sections of it,” Khoza said.

“This trend will have to change, and women must be able to feel safe in their homes, on the streets, and everywhere they are. It is even more shocking when criminals do not respect the fact that we are observing Women’s Month, and we should be ensuring that women are respected. We must make every day a Women’s Day and every month Women’s Month and ensure that no section of our society is discriminated against or abused.”

Earlier, MUT acting vice-chancellor and principal Professor Marcus Ramogale said it was difficult, particularly at the beginning of Women’s Month, to have to communicate the senseless and brutal murder of Mbatha.

Ramogale said it is believed that the male student fled the scene and is still on the run.

“While MUT is trying to come to terms with and get details of what transpired yesterday (Sunday) morning, we appeal to staff, students and the public to cooperate with the police and to come forward if they have any information that could help in the investigation,” Ramogale said.

He said that they would be boosting their campaign against GBV.

“We, therefore, ask all MUT men – staff and students – to rise and say, nNot in my name. This is no longer a time to keep quiet but for every man to rise and speak against GBV. We appeal to all men to treat women with dignity and honour,” Ramogale said.

“The university wishes to send its heartfelt condolences to the Mbatha family in this difficult time. At the same time, we wish to reassure everyone that we have heightened safety and security at all residences. Be that as it may, we still appeal to everyone to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour that exhibits signs of GBV.”

“To all the women of MUT, we will continue to cherish your hard work and dedication to your families with the greatest measure of love and gratitude. Many families are in a better state because of your selflessness. We wish you strength and faith during Women’s Month and beyond,” Ramogale said.

In 2020, there was jubilation in the Durban High Court after Thabani Mzolo was found guilty of the murder of MUT student Zolile Khumalo.

Thabani Mzolo, 23, was arrested moments after Khumalo’s murder in her room at the Lonsdale student residence.

It is alleged that Khumalo, 21, had ended their relationship, but Mzolo could not accept it.

He shot Khumalo in the head and chest inside her dorm room on May 1, 2018.

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