Silent protest highlights demand for justice and fight against gender-based violence in Dimpho Skelenge case

The family and supporters protest in silence outside the Caledon courthouse. Photo: Mitzi Buys

“Being a woman should not be a death sentence…”

That was the message of a silent protest organised by family and friends of murdered Dimpho Skelenge outside the Caledon Magistrates Court on July 31, during the ongoing trial of her alleged killer, Wiseman Ndara. The hearing has been adjourned until August 23.

Skelenge’s body was found on September 7, 2022. She was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend Ndara (“A woman killed, a man arrested”, The time of Hermanus September 14, 2022).

The protesters demonstrating outside the court were not only there to support Skelenge’s family, but also to send a strong message against gender-based violence. (Mr) Mkhanyiseli Hlapezulu from Zolani, Ashton, said: “We are ambassadors for gender-based violence. We are here to support Dimpho’s family. We are fighting for women’s rights. If a relationship is not working, you have to walk away. You don’t have to kill her.”

A group from the South African Rural Women’s Assembly was there to support Dimpho’s family and take a stand against gender-based violence. Denia Jansen, spokesperson for the group, explained an interesting concept: “One Woman, One Hectare is one of our main campaigns for women’s access to land. Today, we are in court to support Dimpho’s family.”

“We always associate gender-based violence with women’s access to land. If women could have one hectare of land, they would have the ability to leave an abusive relationship. They could cultivate the land to support themselves and their families and be independent from an abusive relationship.”

After the case was adjourned, Skelenge’s cousin Winnie Suluba, from Ashton, said: “I’m not happy at all. We came here for the final decision but we can’t take it into our own hands, the court has to deal with it. This has been going on for a very long time now but we hope that the sentence will be passed at the next court appearance.”

Lydia Skelenge, the mother of the deceased, said: “I am not happy. I want justice for my daughter.”