Members of the ANC and ANC Youth League demonstrated in large numbers at the Caledon Magistrates’ Court last week to demand that the man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend should remain behind bars.
A number of the protesters stood outside with posters demanding “Justice for Dimpho” and messages like “Silence Allows Violence” while others supported Dimpho Skelenge’s family inside the courtroom where Wiseman Ndara made a bid for his freedom.
Ndara is accused of stabbing the 28-year old Dimpho to death, allegedly after she refused to reconcile with him. Dimpho moved to Caledon a month before her death to start a new job and reportedly also to escape from Ndara.
Dimpho’s bloody body was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday 7 September. The police arrested Ndara at his place of work at Parmalat in Bonnievale hours later.
Dimpho worked as a clerk at the Caledon Magistrates’ Court, the same court where her ex-boyfriend has appeared in connection with her brutal murder.
Babalwa Skelenge says it was tough facing her sister’s alleged killer in court.
“I have only seen him in photos and videos my sister showed me. When I saw him in court, he couldn’t look straight at me even though I was wearing a T-shirt with my sister’s face on it. He was crying but I think he was just pretending because he wants to be released on bail,” she stated.
“I wish this man can just die. My sister is dead but he can eat and sleep in prison and at the end of the day he will come out and go on with his life or hurt another woman.”
Babalwa says she was shocked to hear that Ndara allegedly abused her sister. “She never told me, she hid it because she knew I would tell her to end it.
“I am heartbroken because she was my only sister. Now I am left alone to provide for the family.”
The bail application was postponed to 28 November.
