The Nduvheni family and the community of Ngalavhani in the Mutale area in Limpopo have been plunged into deep mourning, following the brutal murder of a beloved member of their community and a daughter of a well-known traditional leader, Gota Vho Solomon Nduvheni.

Rejoice Nduvheni (31), principal social worker at Mangaung Correctional Services (GSL Correctional Services) in Bloemfontein met a premature death, after she was allegedly stabbed by the man she trusted as a husband. Rejoice’s body was found in a pool of blood by neighbours who went to investigate after hearing disturbing noises the previous night. She was found in the bedroom of their home in Bloemfontein.

Her death comes just a few days before the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Violence on Women and Children that will run from 25 November to 10 December 2008.

Before moving to Bloemfontein, Rejoice worked for Kutama-Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison (SACM) as a social worker, until 2003.

According to the information pieced together by Mirror, it is alleged that Rejoice was stabbed to death by Luckyboy Sidikwe (41). It is alleged that her killer might have used a sharp instrument, because she was found with deep wounds on her head.

The couple lived together since 2003. It is said that their relationship was based on lies, as the killer made her believe that he was a dentist with a flourishing practice in Bloemfontein, which was untrue.

Rejoice’s death has left a big scar in the heart of her father, Gota Vho Solomon Nduvheni. “I am heartbroken as a father,” were the first words Nduvheni uttered during an interview with Mirror. “I am prepared to forgive the killer of my daughter, but will never forget the pain she went through before her gruesome death. The incident has weakened me greatly. I would rather have kept my anguish to myself, but I think this will serve as a lesson to other young women who easily fall for people they do not even know,” he said.

“My daughter fell in love with the wrong person who was just after her material wealth, and that is the reason he killed her,” he said. Nduvheni said it was saddening to find that young girls were no longer following tradition and were just making unilateral decisions that sometimes led to situations like the one they were in. “The community has a responsibility to teach the young ones the right procedures to be followed in marriage, where the family of both spouses will meet and get to know each other before a major decision about marriage is reached,” added Nduvheni.

Nduvheni is not satisfied with the way the investigations are taking place and put all the blame squarely on the investigating officer, Insp Mbulelo Kgoboko. His said he was worried that her assets were no longer intact as her Chrysler Neon has been missing since her gruesome death. “I need some help from anybody who is ready to help me recover what duly belongs to my daughter. This man must not inherit anything that my daughter worked for,” he said.

A family representative, Tshitangoni Nduvheni, said they would miss Rejoice. “The woman is irreplaceable because of her dedication to her work in counseling the nation. She was a pioneer in the Nduvheni family, in the sense that she was the first qualified social worker. This is a sad loss indeed,” he said.

He said newspapers were always carrying similar stories about mothers and children being murdered by husbands. “When murderers are set free, freedom fades in the mud and, as a result, the right to life can no longer be absolute,” said Nduvheni.

Nduvheni said the government’s campaign against all forms of abuse against women and children was falling on deaf ears because people chose not to listen to the message.

Gladys Mukwevho, a close friend of the deceased, said it was difficult to accept that Rejoice was no more because she had phoned her a day before her death.

Insp Mbulelo Kgoboko of the Mangaung Police confirmed the incident. He confirmed that a suspect had been arrested and had appeared in court in connection with the case. “I can confirm that the suspect, Luckyboy Sidikwe, was arrested shortly after the murder and was charged with murder. Bail was set at R1 000,” he said. He said the suspect paid the bail and will appear again on December 4.

Asked as to why the bail has been set so low on a serious charge of murder the suspect was facing, Kgoboko said the suspect was a first offender.