Horrific KZN femicide case sparks debate on value of human life

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) activist, Mandisa Khanyile, has bemoaned society’s disregard for the inherent worth of individuals.

Khanyile was condemning attempts by some social media users to justify Sibusiso Mtaka’s brutal murder of his fiancé, Nontobeko Cele.

The 32-year-old, who later hanged himself on a tree in the Malangeni area in KwaZulu-Natal’s Umzinto, shared the disturbing images of his crime on Facebook and confessed to being the culprit.

He accused Cele of having cheated on him despite his efforts to make her happy by splurging money on the 25-year-old, who was found lying in the middle of the road with several stab wounds and a broken knife lying next to her.

Police say reports indicate that the pair had a domestic-related altercation, which resulted in murder.

While many are disturbed by the incident and expressed how the bodies of women have become crime scenes in South Africa, some defended Mtaka saying that women should stop pushing men too far.

Khanyile says the heated debate that is happening on social media over this is an eye-opener for how little empathy South Africans have towards the country’s GBV crisis.

She says the public has become so desensitised to femicide and abuse.

“We do not know what resources are available or access to get psycho-social support and again I am reiterating the importance of behavioural change programmes in communities.”

Civil rights movement, #NotInMyName, has also slammed the commentary from certain individuals online.

The organisation’s Themba Masango says justifying violence and murder is utterly reprehensible.

“This misogynistic mindset is a manifestation of a deeply ingrained societal issue, where women are held accountable for men’s emotional responses and choices.”

Masango says this does not only diminish the value of human life, but it also shifts accountability away from the perpetrator.

“This rhetoric implies that the victim deserved to be murdered, which is an unacceptable justification for violence.”

The Cele family says Mtaka’s victim, Nontobeko, stayed in the abusive relationship despite advice for her to cut ties with him for good.

According to the family – Lawrence had taken her and their alleged child for shopping and to the beach before he killed her.

The victim’s sister, Khumbuzile Cele, says he has left the family in a dire situation.

Speaking exclusively to YNews, Mtaka’s uncle urged couples to seek help when their relationship becomes toxic instead of taking matters into their own hands.

The man who asked to remain anonymous also apologised for what his nephew has done.

Police are investigating a case of murder, and an inquest docket has also been opened.

Sbusiso Lawrence, a South African man brutally murdered his girlfriend & bragged about it on a Facebook video. If he was from another African country, there would be calls to deport all African nationals by politicians & others. But SA men are defending him. SA men are disgusting pic.twitter.com/EA9sqVrtuH

— Thuso van Zyl🇿🇦🇵🇸 (@Thuso1Africa) December 18, 2024

Dear WOMEN of South Africa!!

Watch out for this man, he says Sbusiso Lawrence was justified in killing that women, and that the lady deserved to die like that, we have a lot of Sbusiso Lawrence devils living among us!!! pic.twitter.com/BQC3ha7CyQ

— MfanaKaGogo (@Basoh_Mabaso) December 17, 2024

The Sbusiso Lawrence situation is a reminder of why I always defend women

— Thandokuhle (@ThandoZ_Amon) December 17, 2024

Sbusiso Lawrence is a weak man, any man who lifts their hand on a woman, is weak. Those defending him are also weak.

— A LUTA CONTINUA (@Alulu25) December 17, 2024

They are justifying what Sbusiso Lawrence did because they can see themselves in a similar situation 🚮

— Majola 🐍🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@Zimasabuhle) December 17, 2024

If you beat your partner, you’re no different to Sbusiso Lawrence. Nothing will stop you from killing her or him one day. Tsk!!!

— Danion (@danion_dona) December 17, 2024

There’s nothing as scary as having a girl child in South Africa. What is more shocking is that there are still men defending this monster called Sbusiso Lawrence because the woman cheated and he supported her financially🚮🚮🚮.We live amongst monsters yrrrrrrr

— Kay (@kay_ramos_p) December 17, 2024

Dear women, observe very closely those who are justifying what Sbusiso Lawrence did and please stay away from them as much as possible because with those you are likely to be a statistic one day too!

— #IamAnAfrican (@Uncle_JayB) December 18, 2024

My thoughts on the Sbusiso Lawrence situation: pic.twitter.com/dboJUNB02o

— OB (@zaynrmfc) December 18, 2024

Black people are really fucking each other over and it’s sad to watch…
STOP KILLING BLACK WOMEN, WE ARE ALREADY GOING THRU ALOT BEING BLACK PROTECT US

Ladies stop using our brothers for your own personal gains they are also human and they do it out of love

Sbusiso Lawrence

— oros (@ross_rori) December 18, 2024

“She was not a good person. She got what she deserved. “

One day, it will be your daughter, your sister, or your granddaughter, and I hope & pray you will remember your post.

Sbusiso Lawrence

— #blackgirlsrock (@Black_Is_Queen) December 17, 2024