The IFP welcomes the lengthy sentence handed down by the Pongola High Court against Mduduzi Nxumalo, who committed heinous crimes in Jozini, northern KwaZulu-Natal, over a four-day period. The court found Nxumalo guilty of serious offenses, including murder and multiple rapes, between 13th and 17th September 2019. His rape survivors included defenseless young women.
In one incident, Nxumalo kidnapped three women and two children from a salon in Jozini town, raping one of them and robbing them of their cellphones. Over the next three days, he wreaked havoc in the ’17’ area of Jozini turning it into ‘a place of terror, rape and killing field’. He committed further serious crimes, including stabbing a man to death and raping four women. One rape survivor was assaulted in front of her partner. Nxumalo’s reign of terror ultimately ended in his arrest and conviction, resulting in an 88-year prison sentence.
The IFP commends the law-enforcement agencies and the justice system for their role in bringing Nxumalo to justice. This case highlights the ongoing vulnerability of young women in our communities. Nxumalo’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for women, and his lengthy sentence serves as a warning to would-be perpetrators of gender-based violence.
The IFP emphasizes that combating GBV requires a collective effort from all sectors of society. Nxumalo’s sentence must signal a strong warning to others that such crimes will not be tolerated.
Furthermore, the IFP calls on the government, particularly the Department of Social Development, to provide ongoing psychosocial support to the victims and survivors of these incidents.
ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE IFP NATIONAL DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON HON. THEMBENI KAMADLOPHA-MTHETHWA.
