As the country prepares to observe Women’s Month, the community of Nyanga and surrounding areas have taken to the streets to demand justice for Zenande Tshazibane, a 25-year-old woman who was raped and murdered in her home last month.
Tshazibane had sought legal protection from her partner just days before her brutal killing. On June 17, she filed for a protection order at Philippi Court after allegedly being assaulted by her boyfriend. Tragically, five days later, on June 22, she was found dead in her home.
Community Outrage and March for Justice
Hundreds of residents, friends, and family members marched to the local police station, condemning the failure of authorities to protect Tshazibane despite her plea for help. Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, calling for urgent action against gender-based violence (GBV) and systemic failures in the justice system.
A close friend of Tshazibane and one of the march organizers, expressed frustration over the lack of police intervention.
“Zenande went to court to file a protection order, but the case was rejected. Why wasn’t she informed? Maybe she would still be alive today,” she said. “Our justice system is failing us. Do they need another woman to die before they act?”
Police Accountability Demanded
Protesters accused the police of negligence, claiming that no proper investigation was conducted until community pressure forced authorities to reassign the case to a female officer.
“For three weeks, there was no feedback. The police knew Nyanga is a hotspot for violence, yet they did nothing,” she added. “We demand answers. We demand justice for Zenande.”
Nyanga has long been plagued by high crime rates, particularly GBV, with activists arguing that systemic inaction perpetuates the cycle of violence.
Calls for Systemic Change
As the march concluded, demonstrators vowed to continue pushing for accountability, urging the government to strengthen protections for women and ensure that protection orders are enforced.
“This is another tragic case of a woman failed by the system,” said the reporter covering the protest. “The community’s anger is justified—how many more lives must be lost before real change happens?”
With Women’s Month approaching, Tshazibane’s case has reignited national conversations about South Africa’s GBV crisis, leaving many to question whether justice will ever be served.
