At the age of 32, Siphokazi Prince had a promising future ahead of her. Instead, her life was cut short when the man she was in a relationship with for nearly two years, allegedly stabbed her to death before going out to look for a saw and black bags, presumably to dispose of her body.
Siphokazi’s brother Ayanda Prince told the Hermanus Times that her relatives later found both the saw and the black bags when they went to retrieve her possessions from the house where she had been murdered.
“As more and more information comes out, is has become clear that they had a very volatile relationship,” said Ayanda. “I heard now that she didn’t go to work for three days after he had allegedly stabbed her on a previous occasion. When I went to court for his first appearance he showed no remorse at all, only concern for himself.
“I can’t understand that someone who was loved by my sister would (allegedly) kill her. If it is true that he did something similar before, then I feel that the law has failed my sister.”
On Monday Ayanda was relieved of his fear that the accused, Bongumusa Solomon Zitha, would be released on bail and flee to another province where he could possibly commit more crimes against women.
Zitha’s lawyer informed the court that he would be abandoning his bail application. The state indicated that it would have opposed Zitha’s bid for freedom as he is wanted for a rape that dates back to 2018 in Barberton. The case was postponed to 23 January.
A large number of residents of Zwelihle, supported by local councillors from different political parties and the Saps Men for Change organisation were at the Hermanus Magistrates’ Court on Monday to demand “Justice for Siphokazi” and show their support to Siphokazi’s family.
Fransina Lukas, National Community Policing Forum chairperson, expressed her shock and horror that this heinous crime had occurred during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, a period aimed at highlighting femicide, gender-based violence (GBV) and the abuse of children.
“He has demonstrated that he is a threat to women and society in general and we are here to demand that he should not be granted bail and should never see daylight as a free man again.”
William Munnik, head of the Saps Men for Change in the Western Cape, stated that the organisation joined the march as they believe that perpetrators of GBV and femicide should not be released on bail.
“If the possibility of being released on bail is taken away it serves as deterrent and causes would-be perpetrators to think twice,” he stated.
Speak up and stand together
ANC councillor Masibongwe Sihlahla called on all men to take a stand against GBV and femicide. “We should stand together and say ‘Not in our name’. I call on all organisation, political parties and society to unite in the fight against GBV.”
Nomawethu Lamani, a community leader, stated: “It is deeply distressing that someone who was entrusted to care for others as a male nurse could commit such a heinous act. This is not just about one case; it reflects a larger issue where our cries for justice go unheard, and perpetrators walk free.
“Justice must be served, and the man responsible must face the full might of the law. We cannot allow these crimes to continue unchallenged.”
Her plea was that communities should stop turning a blind eye to domestic violence. “People should move away from just shrugging and saying ‘they always fight’. Instead you should step in or report it. Victims should also realise that it is not love when your partner beats you. Report the abuse and get a restraining order.”
Masizole Mnqasela, leader of the Alliance of Citizens for Change (ACC), condemned the murder, stating it is extra shocking as it happened during the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
“This incident highlights the need for the re-introduction of the death penalty in South Africa,” he added.
Rugene Dees, local ACDP councillor and provincial head of the political party’s Women of Destiny department, emphasised that GBV and femicide is a “painful and urgent reality”.
“It is not someone else’s problem. It is not something that happens ‘somewhere else’. It happens to our women, our children, and even our men. We are concerned about the pain behind the statistics. Every number represents a life – a mother who will not return home, a woman whose dreams have been crushed by fear and violence, children who cry themselves to sleep.
“We owe it to them and to ourselves to say enough is enough. Let’s keep on advocating. Speak up, stand together. Silence protects the perpetrator, not the victim. If you see or hear something, say something. Let’s create a culture where survivors feel safe and supported, not judged or blamed.”
Dees emphasised the need for better support systems, from shelters to counselling, “to ensure victims are not abandoned in their darkest moments”.
Munnik explained that the Men for Change have special programmes throughout the year to engage with men about important issues such as paying maintenance, men’s mental health issues and misandry (the phenomenon where all men are painted as villains such as #AllMenAreTrash that trended a few years ago) in order to create greater awareness about GBV, its causes and what can be done to address this issue.
“The Women’s Network in turn engages with women on issues such as abuse because it’s not only men who abuse,” he pointed out. “At a later stage, the men and women will then have a session together so they can discuss what had been said so they can better understand each other.”
Siphokazi will be laid to rest in Zwelihle on Saturday 14 December.. The case against the 17-year old minor accused of murdering Deveney Nel on 7 August in Caledon, has been postponed to 30 January 2025.
