Take up karate, women told

Man accused of murdering girlfriend appears in court

ANC Women’s League secretary-general Meokgo Matuba yesterday urged women to start taking up karate lessons in order to be able to defend themselves.

She was speaking outside the Seshego Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo shortly after the appearance of Cuthbert Manamela, who stands accused of murdering his girlfriend Lebogang Lamola in October in Polokwane.

“Fellow women, I urge you to attend karate lessons in order to defend yourselves against abusive men.

“Let’s make the fight against violence on women a societal issue. It is high time that women must be allowed to make their own choices,” said Matuba to loud cheers from a horde of women, most of whom were dressed in ANCWL regalia.

They picketed outside the court building waving a placard that said “End violence against women”.

Led by Matuba, the women later visited the deceased’s mother, Lephai Lamola, at home to comfort her.

“The most important weapon is to pray. God knows how to heal broken hearts,” she told the mother.

“As women we are angry at crimes perpetrated against women in the country.”

She said though she had confidence in the justice system, she was worried about the sentences handed down to perpetrators of crimes against women. She cited the example of Sandile Mantsoe, who was sentenced to 32 years’ imprisonment for the murder of Karabo Mokoena last week.

“We want to send a strong message to the courts that the years of imprisonment given as sentences to perpetrators of violence against women are nothing compared to the lives they would have lived. Perpetrators must also be sent to rot in jail,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of Lamola family, China Mailula said they were still struggling to come to terms with the loss, “especially at the hands of her boyfriend”.

Manamela, 32, appeared briefly before Magistrate Mikateko Mabobo and his case was postponed until July 6. Mabobo said she was awaiting a directive from the National Director of Public Prosecutions whether the matter would be tried in the regional court or high court.

Manamela allegedly killed Lamola by stabbing her several times in her bedroom on October 23. He has been denied bail.