By Dideka Njemla and Luvuyo Mjekula
An angry and disappointed community of Makhanda will take to the streets next week in pursuit of justice for murdered Ntombizanele “Nopopi” Katiya and her grieving family.
Katiya died at Settlers’ Hospital after she was severely assaulted by “unknown assailants”, according to the police. Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy said in a statement that Katiya succumbed to her injuries. The officer said Katiya was brought to the hospital by her boyfriend.
“The 42-year-old victim succumbed to the injuries and was certified dead at Settlers’ Hospital,” McCarthy stated. He said no arrests have been made, but investigations are continuing.
The incident has shocked Katiya’s family and the rest of the Makhanda community, bringing about a sense of anger and an outcry following deafening silence from authorities since her killing on 29 March.
“Her death has weighed heavily on the entire family, but it has had the greatest impact on her eldest daughter. She is not coping emotionally, and I think she may need professional assistance to help her,” said a fearful Nombulelo Toni, the aunt of Katiya. Katiya is survived by two daughters aged 16 and 8.
Toni said it remained unclear as to how their daughter died. She said the exact details of the incident were unknown to the family. “We still do not have many details about her death. The forensics team haven’t come back to inform us of how badly she was harmed. We haven’t had anyone see us to explain what exactly happened. Everything is based on hearsay.”
A fearful Toni said that numerous allegations of what may have happened to their daughter have been brought to their attention concerning the perpetrator(s). She said that despite no arrests being made, social media has become one of the greatest mediums for voicing a demand for justice for the murder of their daughter.
“We have lost a very vibrant and energetic individual. She was a people person, and her customers from her workplace and anyone she interacted with can attest to that,” said Toni.
In her last words speaking with Grocott’s, Toni said, “We appreciate the engagement we have received from the public. It warms our hearts when everyone mentions how positive and free-spirited she was. Even her funeral reflected her.”
The residents of Makhanda, along with many organisations, are actively flooding social media feeds, calling for justice in this case.
There will be a peaceful march for Nopopi on 23 April at 11 am, gathering at Soccer City, to the police station in town and the Department of Education.
Secretary of the Safe House for GBV victims Anelisa Bentele says the march is a result of the joint efforts from various organisations around this town. “The march is inspired by the noise that we heard from the community. GBV is an international pandemic, and it’s high time that the justice system prioritises this issue. We want perpetrators to remain behind bars. The government is failing us, and people are beginning to fear for their lives to advocate for such issues because perpetrators roam freely.”
Meanwhile, community activist Archbishop Nkosinathi Ngesi has raised the case of a three-year-old Alicedale girl who was reportedly raped and murdered, with no one arrested for the tragedy.
“I appreciate the fact that Cwecwe is getting a lot of support throughout the Republic, therefore getting the attention that she deserves. I applaud that. However here in Makana, at Alicedale, a three-year-old Mbalentle Kana was raped and murdered in her home about a year ago.
“As we support Cwecwe and all the children and women raped, even young boys being molested, please also think about our beautiful Mbali whose case has gone cold. We ask justice for Mbali, a three-year-old soul who was raped and murdered in her sleep.
“I urge everyone to stand up for Mbali, who came from a poor and humble family. Up to this stage, nobody has been arrested for the rape and murder of Mbali. Please assist the soul of beautiful Mbali to rest in peace by applying pressure on the police to find the rapist and killer of Mbali,” pleaded Ngesi.
