Rally against ‘spade killer’
A group of women marched to the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court this week in an attempt to have bail denied for a man who allegedly brutally murdered his girlfriend.
Natasha de Lange was allegedly beaten to death with a spade and her body left in her KwaNokuthula home for days before police made the grisly discovery on July 30, 2017.
The accused was set to apply for bail in court on Monday, August 7, but the matter was postponed to August 16.
The women, who marched from the Shell garage in Marine Way in Plett, walked to the court where they took a stand against women abuse.
Protest participants said the incident was one of the worst attacks on a woman they had ever heard of.
Neighbour Gloria Jodwana said that De Lange was a beautiful woman but often walked around KwaNokuthula with bruises on her face. “We suspected that she was being abused,” Jodwana said.
During the evening on Friday, July 28, she said, neighbours heard a commotion at the home followed by what they believed was De Lange screaming. “The crying stopped later that evening.”
Jodwana said that when De Lange failed to come out of the house the following day, neighbours suspected something was amiss and went to inspect. They found the home had been locked.
“This was reported to the police, but they needed a warrant to enter the property. This was only obtained on Sunday, July 30.”
Jodwana said that when the police finally obtained entry to the home, De Lange’s body was found on the floor under a blanket.
‘HIT WITH A SPADE’
“She was very badly injured. Her nose and cheeks were completely bashed in. It is believed that she was hit repeatedly with a spade.”
Jodwana said residents believed that De Lange’s three children could have been home at the time of the attack.
De Lange’s boyfriend was arrested in connection with the murder following the discovery.
Bitou subregion ANC Youth League member Samkelo Majo, who called for the march, said they condemned the brutal killing.
“It is not enough for women to speak out on the issue. For the message to be strong and consistent, women’s voices must be backed up by men’s,” Majo said.
He added that no woman had to be a victim of physical abuse. “Women have to feel that they are not alone and therefore we called on all our members, NGOs and community leaders to stand behind and support De Lange’s family by coming out in numbers on Monday.”
“We all need to speak out against abuse against women in our community and justice must be served. We cannot allow such acts in our community.
“Bitou must unite against women abuse and violence,” Majo said.
A petition was also drawn up and signatures garnered against the suspect’s release on bail. Those who supported the petition said they did so in an attempt to show the court that the community did not want the suspect back on the streets.
Police spokesperson Captain Marlene Pieterse said the police would release more information about the incident shortly.