Angry residents of the Ha-Mavhunga RDP area in Nzhelele protested outside the Dzanani Magistrate Court two weeks ago, during the court appearance of Ndivhuwo Matamela, who had allegedly stabbed and killed his ex-girlfriend in May this year.

Matamela allegedly stabbed the 18-year-old Rudzani Mavhunga, a Grade 10 pupil at Tswime Secondary School, 37 times with a sharp object. The 24-year-old Matamela is said to have refused to accept that the girl no longer wanted him in her life.

Residents threatened to take the law into their own hands if Matamela was granted bail. "We will kill him too if the State grants him bail. We need to see justice done here. He killed an innocent girl," they said.

During the protest, residents displayed placards that read: "No bail for a murderer"; "37 holes, 37 life sentences"; "no to woman abuse ... enough is enough"; and "life sentence for murder".

They also handed a memorandum with their demands to Magistrate Andries Kellerman.

The residents were led by the Mungomani ANCWL and demanded that Matamela must not be given bail. They also stated that they were worried about the increasing crime in Ward 38 of the Makhado Municipality. The residents demanded that the police re-investigate all pending cases in the village. They said that the police satellite station at Ha-Miriri must operate 24 hours per day.

Receiving the memorandum, Kellerman said that he was aware of the increase in domestic violence in the area. He said that one in every four households were subject to domestic violence. "To protect those who are being abused, there is a domestic violence act. Domestic violence is not only limited to physical violence. It can include sexual abuse, emotional abuse, verbal, emotional, economic and psychological abuse.  If one is in this kind of situation, you are advised to contact the police or a magistrate's office for assistance," Kellerman told residents.

He said that he was aware that sometimes neighbours refused to come and testify in court in these kinds of cases. "I encourage the community to work together in the fight against domestic abuse," he said.

Matamela’s case was postponed to 4 July for a formal bail application.