Calls for a GBV State of Emergency have intensified following the brutal murder of a young woman in Pretoria. Civic organisations and community members are demanding urgent government action. The death of Tshegofatso Ndebele, allegedly at the hands of her parolee boyfriend, has reignited outrage over the gender-based violence (GBV) crisis in South Africa.
Details Emerge in Pretoria Woman’s Murder
Ndebele, 31, was found dead in a dishevelled room in Matebeleng, Pretoria. She had been reported missing for days. Her lifeless body was discovered by family members under a blanket, showing signs of severe assault, including broken limbs. Police described the scene as unhygienic and disturbing.
The suspect, 43-year-old Pretty Phetedi, made his first court appearance at Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court. He had recently been released on parole after serving part of a 12-year sentence for a 2010 murder conviction. Family members of both victims say they were never informed of his release.
Read more about the tragic family incident involving a SANDF soldier in SANDF Soldier Shoots Teenage Son & Attempts to Take Own Life.
Communities Demand Justice and Accountability
Friends and relatives gathered at court to honour Ndebele and demand justice. Emotions ran high, with many demanding the death penalty for Phetedi. “Jail is too convenient for him,” said one of Ndebele’s friends. “If the community had found him first, they would have killed him.”
Ndebele had recently obtained a protection order against Phetedi, further fuelling public anger. Her brother, Sandile Ndebele, urged families to recognise early warning signs of abuse.
SANCO and Civic Leaders Mobilise
The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) is leading calls for the justice system to deny Phetedi bail. Chairperson Goitsemang Sindane said:
“We plead with the court not to grant him bail. We want justice for Tshegofatso.”
Samuel Masilela, founder of Dipeu Tsa Tshwane, urged President Cyril Ramaphosa and Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane to declare a GBV State of Emergency.
Why a GBV State of Emergency is Being Demanded
Civic groups argue that gender-based violence has reached pandemic levels. According to Human Rights Watch, 36% of women in South Africa have experienced physical or sexual violence. Between April 2023 and May 2024, an average of 117 rapes were reported daily.
Declaring a GBV State of Emergency would unlock emergency funding, expedite law reform, and improve victim support. Civic organisations liken the GBV crisis to a national disaster, requiring a coordinated and urgent response.
Learn more about the recent law enforcement tragedy in Tsakane News: Police Officer Murdered, Firearm Stolen in Tsakane Attack.
Broken Systems and Parole Failures
Phetedi’s parole release without notifying victims’ families highlights severe flaws in the criminal justice system. Goitsemang Moeng, sister of Phetedi’s first known victim, expressed anger:
“The justice system failed us. He was let back into society without warning.”
Activists argue that such oversights put lives at risk and erode public trust in state institutions.
Tshegofatso’s Story Must Drive Change
Ndebele was set to graduate from UNISA next month. Her dreams were violently cut short. Friends described her as loving, selfless, and bright. Her story is now fuelling a broader movement calling for structural change.
The suspect remains in custody. He is expected back in court on 27 October. Meanwhile, Tshegofatso will be laid to rest in Lotus, Pretoria.
Discover how investigators connected the suspect in Armand Swart Murder: How Investigators Linked Katiso Molefe to the Case.
A National Reckoning on GBV
South Africans are once again confronted by the brutal reality of gender-based violence. Civic voices are growing louder. The demand for a GBV State of Emergency is not just a slogan; it is a desperate plea for justice, reform, and protection.
