‘No woman is safe in this country’: Relatives of slain Soweto friends cry out as they demand justice

The families of slain Soweto friends, Popi Qwabe and Bongeka Phungula, say the lack of information shrouding the friends’ murders has made it difficult for them to come to terms with their passing.

Their double homicide made headlines in 2017, when the women’s bodies were found with gunshot wounds dumped near Johannesburg.

No arrests have been made, six years after the double homicide.

Amid mounting concerns over the high number of Gender Based Violence (GBV) incidents in the country, friends and family alongside members of Amnesty International South Africa picketed outside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head offices this morning.

They are demanding answers for the gruesome murders.

YNews spoke with Bongeka’s cousin, Mdu Ngubane, at the back of the picket.

He has blamed botched police investigations and an apathetic criminal justice system for the lack of answers.

Ngubabe says two taxi drivers were arrested in connection with the murders after one of the girls’ bloodstains and cellphone were found in their vehicle.

The two were, however, later released due to a lack of evidence.

The distraught relative has lamented the alarming rise in gender-based violence incidents, saying no woman is safe in this country.

Ngubane became emotional recounting the dreams Bongeka had of making it big in the concrete jungle.

 

YNews also spoke with Amnesty International South Africa Organiser, Alwande Khumalo.

She says delays in bringing these violent perpetrators to justice is reflective of a failing justice system.

 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has apologised for delays in the case.

NPA spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga says the stall in investigations will be looked at. Report by Naomi Kobbie