A suspected abuser who allegedly stabbed his girlfriend multiple times and left her fighting for her life in hospital was beaten to death by a mob in Munzhedzi village in the early hours of Saturday, 16 August. Domestic violence is believed to be the underlying cause.
The attack came amid a spate of gender-based acts of violence in the village. Earlier in August, three murders occurred over three weeks: on 3 August, a teenage mother was arrested for allegedly strangling her three-month-old son; on 9 August, a 37-year-old man allegedly killed his 36-year-old partner and raped her 16-year-old daughter, with the woman's body later found in a pit toilet at a local school.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that the police arrived at the scene, finding the suspect, Robert Mugudama (58), beaten to death, with stones and wooden sticks believed to have been used in the attack. "Mob justice negatively impacts our communities and the course of justice," Dathi said. He added that police had opened a case of murder (mob justice) and urged anyone with relevant information to assist in identifying those responsible.
Calvin Nenguda, chairperson of the Real Men Foundation, urged communities not to remain silent about abuse. "Women and children have suffered enough, with some maimed and others scarred for life by those they trusted. Real men care for their families, and we are advocating against abuse in full view of our traditional leaders," he said.
Nenguda encouraged victims to speak out early to prevent further harm. "Women should report any abuse as soon as it begins, so it can be addressed before it escalates," he said, adding that community support and partnerships were key to stopping violence against women and children.