By OBAKENG MAJE
The ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula is expected to appear at Orkney Magistrate’s Court on 23 January 2023. Kula (34) was arrested on Friday in connection with the death of his wife, Jennifer Motlhomi (31).
The former ANCYL member allegedly stabbed his wife at their matrimonial house in Kanana Township, near Orkney on 27 November 2022.
The national police spokesperson, Brig Athlenda Mathe said: “The North West Police have arrested a man in Klerksdorp for the alleged murder of his wife. The incident happened on 27 November 2022 at the home of the suspect in Kanana Township.
“The suspect is facing a charge of murder and will appear before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Monday.”
The ANCWL in North West said it is paralyzed with shock following the arrest of Kula. The ANCWL Provincial Task Team (PTT) Convenor, Bitsa Lenkopane said, Motlhomi’s brutal murder depicted another disturbing picture of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) among many women, who are subjected to it in the locale.
“This is another case of women abused, violated, and brutally attacked in the comfort of their living spaces. A complexity painted by one of the police reports in the year, where these vile activities happen among acquaintances and or romantic partners.
“Motlhomi was a vibrant young woman, who spent her entire life participating and leading the struggle structures of the youth and students in the ANC,” she said.
Lenkopane said, Motlhomi’s activism comes from the Bojanala Platinum region, where she led the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) from that region and later in the province. According to reports, Motlhomi was also actively involved in the Young Women activities in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda region before her untimely death.
“The ANCWL would like to call for calm among interested parties and Jennifer’s loved ones to give trust and space to the justice administration to process this matter and speedily finalise it.
“Mostly, GBV cases take too long to conclude with often instances of suspected perpetrators slipping through the justice system’s fingers leaving victims not redressed. However, we hope Motlhomi and her family will receive the justice they deserve,” said Lenkopane.
She added that, the perpetrator should receive the maximum punishment on a guilty verdict.
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) in the North West also welcomed the arrest of Kula.
The EFF provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said: “We are concerned with the sad state of affairs and rise of patriarchal relations perpetuated by the political elites in the province and the country at large.
“Undisputedly, our country has been through a long history of systematic subjugation, violence, and abuse. Sadly, to date, women and children are yet at the receiving end of heinous and horrific acts of hetero-patriarchy, sexism, rape, rampant GBV, Femicide, and infanticide, not only by habitual criminals in general but also men tasked with the responsibility to lead, protect and shower them with love.”
Babuile said the high levels of victims in cases of this nature is proof enough that the criminal justice system ceased to exist and protect the vulnerable members of society. He said it is quite dismaying that political elites in this country enjoy impunity at the expense of the lives of the people.
The Guardian 