The community of Cata Village near Keiskammahoek in the Eastern Cape is reeling in shock following the death of a 74-year-old Nowezile Komna who was allegedly raped and hacked to death last week Thursday.
Her attack was the third one in a space of a week and unfortunately for her, she didn’t survive to tell the tale.
Komna’s death comes at a time when the country commemorates Women’s Month and battling with the scourge of Gender-based violence cases.
No one has been arrested in all of these incidents and community members are looking for answers.
Cata Village residents living in fear after a 74-year-old woman raped and hacked to death
It was a sombre moment at the funeral service of Nowezile Komna. Komna met her death at the hands of an unknown attacker who fatally wounded her at her home where she stays alone.
The family is still trying to come to terms with her death, saying that her attacker is someone from within the community.
They added that they will not rest until justice is served.
“We will find closure once someone has been arrested, for now, we are grieving. We are trying to be strong but it’s difficult,” says Nowengile Komna, a family member.
Community members say, women, particularly those that live alone, are prone to these attacks.
“To walk late at night here is dangerous. If you’re sleeping alone as a woman – you’re not safe. The people here are very much afraid,” says a resident.
“We are trying, by all means, to get to the bottom of this, but unfortunately we haven’t. We are working together as a community,” says another community member.
Police are still investigating. They’ve since urged anyone with information to come forward.
More women killed in South Africa on Women’s Month
Sergeants Sharon Mogale shot in the head
The country is mourning the murder of yet another woman during Women’s month. Sergeants Sharon Mogale and Mapule Sinah Petje were robbed of their service pistols before Mogale was shot in the head in Tembisa on Gauteng’s East Rand earlier this week.
SA mourns the murder of yet another woman during Women’s month
Nosicelo Mtebeni’s body found in a suitcase
The University of Fort Hare held a memorial service for slain student Nosicelo Mtebeni on Wednesday where family members, friends, and fellow students were in attendance.
Parts of her body were found in a suitcase on the side of the road in East London.
Her boyfriend has been arrested in connection with her death. However, the alleged murderer has abandoned the bail application.
Mtebeni’s dream of becoming a lawyer was cut short when her life ended. She was a final-year law student at the University of Fort Hare.
University of Fort Hare commemorates slain student Nosicelo Mtebeni
