University of Fort Hare law student, Nosicelo Mtembeni, will be laid to rest in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape Saturday.
Mtebeni was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, Aluta Pasile, and her dismembered body was found in Quigney in East London, two weeks ago.
He has confessed to the murder and abandoned his bail application. Mtebeni’s brutal murder has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of programmes to fight gender-based violence (GBV).
The nation is mourning a daughter, friend, and young woman. Nosicelo had a promising future but her dreams will never be realised.
Preparations are underway at Nosicelo Mtebeni’s home in Matatiele:
She is one of many women across the country who have died at the hands of a man they knew.
Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus in the Eastern Cape Legislature, Bukiwe Fanta, says more needs to be done to fight GBV.
“This is a war that we as women can not fight alone. We need men as partners to fight this scourge. You can not be killed by someone who claims to love you.”
A memorial service was held for the third-year law student at the University of Fort Hare:
Her friends have described Nosicelo as a caring person. One of them, Phelo Nkohla, says she will forever cherish fond memories of her.
“She was a supportive friend and even with school-related stuff she made sure that we all attend classes and we should be studying, things like that. She would always encourage us to study hard and graduate so that we could make our parents proud.”
Nosicelo is survived by her parents and her siblings. Her funeral service will take place at Khaoue village in Matatiele.
