Matatiele residents call for death penalty as solution to GBV following Nosicelo Mtebeni’s murder

Residents from Khaue village in Matatiele believe the return of the death sentence is the only solution to the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. This follows the brutal killing of 23-year-old Nosicelo Mtebeni in East London more than two weeks ago.

She was killed and dismembered. Her remains were found not far from where she stayed.

Residents of Khaue in Matatiele are still shocked and in agony. They want the government to be harsh on perpetrators.

They believe that social ills against women will only come to an end when the death penalty is returned.

”The return of death sentence will deter this thing of killing women. The perpetrators will be scared because they will know that they will also be killed if they kill women. This is very sad,” says one of the residents.

Another resident says, ”I say the death penalty should be back. These thugs will think twice before they kill our grandchildren and the elderly. Now, they do as they please because they get released on bail and the next thing they roam the streets.”

Speaking to the Mtebeni family during her visit, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane assured them that Nosicelo’s dreams for her home will still come to pass. She also decried the manner in which she was brutally murdered.

Nosicelo’s boyfriend, who was arrested for her murder, has pleaded guilty to the crime.

Meanwhile, preparations are under way for Nosicelo’s funeral. The grieving family is still not ready to speak to the media.

They say they can only engage with the media after the funeral.

Nosicelo will be laid to rest on Saturday, 4 September.

A memorial service was held for the third year law student at the University if Fort Hare: