A South African woman was found dead, allegedly at the hands of her abusive ex-boyfriend. Tshepo Rakoma, 32, was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend of eight years and the father of her three children in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa. The suspect reportedly began shooting at her as she sat in her car on her lunch break. Multiple bullets struck the victim. According to reports, this occurred in a shopping center’s parking lot.
Suspect Kibi Josiah Lebogo (34), who was later identified, went to the top of the shopping center’s parking garage and threatened to kill himself from there. However, police were able to apprehend and ultimately prosecute him with murder and illegal handgun possession. There is evidence to suggest the perpetrator fired five shots at her, including one directly into the head. Tshepo’s body, riddled with bullets, was located in the driver’s seat of her car. Meanwhile, the deceased’s loved ones blame themselves, saying they should have done something when she told them her ex-lover had threatened to kill her after they split up.
The murderer, who committed the atrocity two years ago but has yet to face justice, is still free. They say that a delay in sentencing is not a denial of justice, but how are they expecting the family to cope with the reality that the person who killed their daughter has not been punished? In South Africa, the law occasionally compels citizens to resort to mob justice.
Why guys feel they can dictate to women how they should spend their time or end a relationship is something I’ll never understand. As a woman, I don’t understand why guys believe they deserve such authority.
Our administration is notoriously lenient when it comes to serious crimes like these and rapes. Many of these convicted murderers and sexual predators are even receiving degrees and certifications paid for by the public while they are in prison. If women don’t speak up and demand tougher punishments for crimes like this, they will continue to be forced to live in fear. Exactly when will they resume their singing? Not a single person who can be heard says “Enough is Enough.”
GBV A pandemic has emerged in the United States. When will President Cyril Ramaphosa respond to our pleas and take the necessary steps? We’ve had enough of crying over the bodies of our sisters and of seeing them in pain. Could you please do anything about this, Mr. President?