ViolenceActionSA strongly condemns the brutal and senseless murder of Letta Ndlovu, a resident of Lawley, Johannesburg South, whose life was tragically cut short in an act of gender-based violence allegedly committed by her partner, Ayanda Mthimkhulu.
Today, 8 July, the alleged perpetrator appeared briefly at the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Ndlovu. The accused abandoned his bail application and will next appear in court on the 16 September.
According to reports, the suspect was previously wanted for attempted murder in the same area but had evaded arrest. Despite Letta Ndlovu’s efforts to distance herself following the first assault incident, her safety was fatally compromised.
On 29 June, the suspect allegedly shot Letta on the head, at the gate of her home, in front of her son who was inside the house and heard the fatal gunshots. Letta was rushed to the hospital, where she was sadly declared deceased. After the murder, the suspect handed himself over to the Ennerdale Police Station. Letta’s murder is not an isolated incident but part of a broader and disturbing pattern of violence against women in South Africa.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) 2024/25 crime statistics, an average of one woman is murdered every four hours and more than half of these murders are committed by someone known to the victim, often an intimate partner.
“As ActionSA, we reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based violence. Our party advocates for: Swift and severe prosecution of perpetrators of GBV and femicide, Reform of the criminal justice system to ensure bail is denied in cases of intimate partner violence and repeat offenders. Support systems for victims and survivors, including safe houses, mental health services and legal assistance. Mandatory rehabilitation programmes for offenders of domestic violence. Gender-based violence is a national crisis that demands urgent, coordinated, and unapologetic action. We call on the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure that justice is served swiftly and harshly in Letta’s case. Her death must not become just another statistic; it must become a rallying cry to end the war on women in our country,” the party said in a statement.
Letta Ndlovu was a mother, a sister, a daughter and a victim of a system that continues to fail women. ActionSA extends its deepest condolences to the Ndlovu family and stands in solidarity with all those who are affected by gender-based violence.
Image: ActionSA
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