Femicide: South African Man Murders Girlfriend for Cheating, Shares It On Social Media, Then Kills Self
Ntaka posted pictures of Cele’s mutilated body (now deleted) on his Facebook profile, along with a video (also deleted) where he admitted to killing her.
A South African man identified as Sibusiso Lawrence Ntaka, from Scottburgh in KwaZulu-Natal, murdered his girlfriend, Nontobeko Cele, allegedly for cheating.
Ntaka posted pictures of Cele’s mutilated body (now deleted) on his Facebook profile, along with a video (also deleted) where he admitted to killing her.
According to Newzroom Afrika, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has ordered an investigation into the case. However, Ntaka was found hanging from a tree shortly after murdering Cele.
In a Newzroom Afrika interview, a close friend of the victim, who requested anonymity, revealed that Cele had been warned on multiple occasions about Ntaka’s anger and obsessive behavior.
In the video posted on Facebook, Ntaka alleged that Cele cheated to the extent of carrying another man’s child. Despite this, he claimed to have accepted and nurtured the child. Ntaka further stated that he had spent significant amounts of money to please Cele and decided to end her life when it seemed she wanted to leave him.
Since Ntaka released the video, now identified as involving a 25-year-old woman, the internet has been in uproar.
Ntaka’s family described him as a quiet person who showed no signs of violence. They stated that the two were married under customary law but had separated due to marital issues. According to his father, Sipho Ntaka, the family was unaware that the couple had resumed their relationship before their tragic deaths.
When PIJAlance first heard of the case, it was barely two hours after the incident. Our team sent over 183 emails to various police stations in KwaZulu-Natal to confirm the report. Only Lt. Colonel Sithole of Maryville SAPS responded at 3:13 PM, expressing ignorance of the case.
A few hours later, Newzroom Afrika reported that police confirmed an ongoing investigation into the murder. Authorities stated that Cele had been stabbed multiple times. They added that the investigation would also extend to an inquest into Ntaka’s suicide.
Understanding Femicide
Femicide, or feminicide, refers to the murder of women, often due to their gender. According to Marcuello-Servós in Femicide: A Social Challenge, this violence typically stems from unequal power dynamics, harmful gender roles, stereotypes, or societal norms. While both sexes can commit femicide, it is predominantly perpetrated by men.
Weil and Shalva noted that femicide was historically underreported but is now gaining increased global attention.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that approximately 5,000 women are murdered annually due to honor-based killings. Document Women, a platform dedicated to tracking femicide cases, reported 129 cases in June 2024 alone. Globally, the platform identified 1,795 femicide cases in 65 countries, with the United States (862 cases), India (399), and South Africa (53) among the top nations.
In South Africa, intimate partner violence remains alarmingly high. The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) reported that 5.5 women per 100,000 were killed by intimate partners between 2020 and 2021. This trend persists in 2024, with recent cases involving perpetrators confessing on social media, as reported by Newzroom Afrika.
Call to Action
The tragic death of Nontobeko Cele underscores the urgency of addressing femicide in South Africa. Comprehensive policies, education on gender equality, and stronger enforcement of protective laws are vital to curbing this crisis.
Read Also:Â Nigerian Soldier Stabs University of Africa Female Student, Abuse Others in Bayelsa
Research and Investigations Desk (RID)
We tell tickling stories out of what you know for you to know them better. We're PIJAlance Research and Investigations Team. Tip us via contact us.