Femicide Crisis: 110 Women Lost to Violence in KZN Over Three Months
**Police Minister’s Disturbing Revelation**
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has disclosed a chilling statistic: 110 women have been brutally murdered in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) since October 2024. Speaking during the ministerial safer festive season operations in the Eastern Cape, Mchunu emphasized the urgent need to address the alarming rate of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa.
**A String of Tragic Cases**
Several recent incidents highlight the severity of the crisis. In one widely reported case, Sibusiso Lawrence confessed to killing his partner, 25-year-old Nontobeko Cele, in Umzinto. Disturbingly, he posted pictures of her lifeless body on social media before taking his own life.
Another horrifying case in Harding involved an 18-year-old teenager beaten and strangled to death, allegedly by her 33-year-old boyfriend. In Umkomaas, a young woman and her three-year-old son were stabbed to death by the child’s father, who was later found hanging from a tree.
**Grim Statistics of Femicide in KZN**
Since October 1, 2024, 110 women have lost their lives in KZN due to violence.
– **64 women** were shot and killed.
– **24 women** were stabbed to death.
– **15 women** were beaten to death.
– **4 women** suffered blunt force trauma.
– **3 women** were burned to death.
“This level of violence, predominantly perpetrated by people known to the victims, is deeply troubling,” Mchunu stated. He reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating GBV and femicide, stressing the importance of community involvement in identifying and reporting abuse
110 women have been murdered in KZN since the start of October, until a week ago.
That’s according to police minister Senzo Mchunu, speaking at a police funeral.
64 of those women were shot and killed, 24 were stabbed to death, 15 were beaten to death, 4 suffered blunt force…
— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) December 28, 2024
**Community Action Needed**
Mchunu called on families, friends, and neighbors to work closely with authorities. “Most of these crimes occur behind closed doors, making detection difficult for law enforcement. It is crucial for those closest to the victims to act swiftly in reporting abuse,” he urged.
The minister emphasized the role of community cooperation in preventing further tragedies, advocating for a zero-tolerance approach to domestic violence.
**National Trends in Femicide**
A recent report by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) paints a grim picture of femicide in the country. Its 2020/2021 study revealed:
– The percentage of femicide cases where no perpetrator was identified increased to **44%** from **30%** in 2017.
– When perpetrators were identified, intimate partners were the most common offenders.
– Three women are killed daily by intimate partners.
Shockingly, South Africa sees an average of **seven women killed daily**, with the Eastern Cape recording the highest rates of femicide, followed by KZN, Western Cape, and Gauteng.
**Urgent Call for Action**
These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for societal change and government action. Mchunu urged South Africans to unite against GBV and femicide, emphasizing that silence and inaction only perpetuate the cycle of violence.
The tragic loss of 110 women in just three months is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of GBV in KZN and across the nation. Without collective action, this crisis will continue to claim lives and devastate families.
