Songs decrying the scourge of gender-based violence could be heard echoing through the East London magistrate’s court building on Wednesday morning as women and men protested outside.
Dressed in black and holding pictures of murdered mother Lindelwa Peni, the crowd called for accused Welcome Madoda Yose to be denied bail.
Peni, a 43-year-old mother of two, was found dead on Monday after being missing since last Wednesday. She had a single stab wound to her neck.
Yose, 61, was arrested for her killing and appeared in court on Wednesday on charges of kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Yose, wearing a navy jacket and beanie, told magistrate Rochelle Sam he wanted to apply for bail.
State prosecutor Lerato Nqinileyo told the court that Yose, a taxi driver, was a flight risk.
Nqinileyo said the state also opposed bail because Yose could conceal evidence if released, that the case against him was serious and he had no fixed address.
Asked about his legal representation, Yose told the court he had not consulted with any attorney but would be represented by a lawyer of his choosing.
The case was postponed to October 16 for further investigation and transferred to another court for the bail application.
Before magistrate Kevin von Bratt, Yose said he needed until Tuesday to organise a lawyer.
“I will send people to look for one for me,” he said.
Von Bratt postponed the case to next Tuesday.
Inside the courtroom, a woman yelled Yose mbulali — loosely translated to killer — as Yose came out of the dock and was led to the holding cells.
Outside the court, Nosiphiwo Peni said her sister would be buried next Saturday.
“Her children are crying for her. I wish for the law to take its course. We thank the people who came here to support us.”
Nonzukiso Tyanti, Peni’s niece, said the family had lost an important member.
“I have no words to describe how I feel. We are hurt ... Government should take the issue of women that are killed seriously and ensure that when we cry, we are heard,” she said.
ANC MP Princess Faku said they would mobilise a petition against granting Yose bail.
Faku likened gender-based violence to a “syndicate”.
“We want people convicted of killing women to get the harshest sentences.
“Women are going to be killed until courts decide to do something about that,” she said.
Mbulelo Njoloza called for government to tighten sentences against women killers.
“The death penalty should be returned for such killings. It’s bad that we [men] are called names when we should be protecting our children and women,” he said.
Buffalo City EFF spokesperson Siya Rumbu said: “The spike in cases of gender-based violence is worrisome and requires that all of us tackle it head-on.
“We condemn the behaviour of men with fragile egos who believe that abusing women and children is the best way to prove their manhood.
“We call on our fighters to deliver the revolution on any man they find assaulting women and children.”
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