Mourners who attended the funeral of the slain Ms Petunia Mukwevho (29) of Luheni in Mutale were told not to keep quiet in the face of the ongoing onslaught against women and children.

The emotional funeral was held last Thursday at the local cemetery and was attended by many community members, local organisations, representatives of the government and the local traditional leadership. When addressing the mourners, the chairperson of the Munna Ndi Nnyi Men’s Forum,  Mr Bardwell Mufunwaini, said that inasmuch as people kept quiet, the scourge of family violence would continue unabated.

Mufunwaini said despite the campaigns by the government and non-governmental organizations for an end to the violence perpetrated against women and children there seemed to be no end in sight. “We are living in a world where life has become very cheap and women are at the receiving end most of the times."

Mukwevho was killed a fortnight ago after her husband allegedly stabbed her 19 times while she was cleaning her house at Luheni. The couple, who have three children aged 9, 6 and 2 respectively, had separated after an argument and Ms Mukwevho had sought refuge at her parents' home. Her husband, Mr Patrick Mukhuba (39), has appeared in court and the case has been postponed to 29 April. He remains in custody.