WATCH: Residents honour Nene’s murder, one-year later
TRAGEDY: Uyinene, 19
Mournful residents flocked to the Clareinch Post Office in Claremont on Sunday to pay their respects following the 2019 gruesome murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana.
Today marks one year since the 19-year-old student was raped and bludgeoned to death by former Post Office teller Luyanda Botha, who dumped her body in Khayelitsha.
It later emerged he had planned the rape, and then attempted to cover up her murder.
The girl’s murder sparked nationwide outrage, and led to widespread protests during which Mrwetyana became the poster child for Gender-Based Violence.
In November, her murderer was sentenced to three life terms plus five years for defeating the ends of justice.
Over the weekend, people hung ribbons, posters and dropped off flowers at the post office to commemorate Uyinene’s passing.
Mourner Lindy Duncan, 48, says: “You just want to cry, because it makes you so emotional.”
Hoossain Aynul-Kabir, 30, who works at the superette across the road, says: “I was shocked, because that lady came to my shop to buy chocolate, sweets and drinks.
“Three days later we heard what happened.”
Uyinene’s uncle, Thembalani Mrwetyana says it’s been painful: “It feels like just yesterday that we went through that terrible ordeal.
“We are still in pain, and frustrated that a year down the line other families are still going through the same.”