By OBAKENG MAJE
The ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula, who is facing a murder case is back at Orkney Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application. Kula (34) was arrested on 20 January 2023 for allegedly stabbing his wife, Jennifer Motlhomi (31) at their matrimonial house in Kanana Township, in Orkney on 27 November 2022.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “On 27 January 2023, the state and the defense attorney read affidavits in their arguments. Kula further took a stand in his pursuit of being granted bail.
“The state also pleaded with the court not to grant Kula bail, as it saw no compelling circumstances. The state further argued that the offense being a schedule 6 criminal matter, should warrant the court not to grant him bail as he is charged with premeditated murder.”
According to Mamothame, the police reports reveal that Kula’s wife was found murdered on 27 November 2022, in what seemed like a robbery. He further said, Motlhomi was allegedly found with a stab wound on her back, but the object that was used for her alleged murder has not been recovered.
“The matter was reported by the medical facility, where she was allegedly transported by the accused to receive medical attention. He told the police that he was not present at his home when the incident occurred.
“Following thorough investigations by the police linked to the alleged murder, he was arrested and charged with murder. Police investigations are still underway,” he said.
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.
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 