Date: 07 June 2021

 

The Premier of KwaZulu Natal Sihle Zikalala has called on the SAPS leadership to trace and apprehend suspects who were involved in the murder of Ms Hlengiwe Madlala, a staff member of the Office of the Premier working in the Communication section.

“From the reports we have received so far, Hlengiwe’s lifelessbody was discovered outside her home in the early hours of Sunday morning. It had multiple stab wounds and her clotheswere next to her,” lamented the Premier.

 

“By all accounts this is one of the most gruesome acts of Gender-Based Violence committed on a woman in the province recently. Whoever did this was on a mission ofmurderous violence and set about to carry out this act in acold and calculating manner,” said Premier Zikalala.

 

“Gender-based violence remains one of the worst scars in our society, touching every community regardless of race, faith or economic status. GBV has now become the second pandemic after Covid-19 and remains a real threat to the building of a united, prosperous, non-sexist, non-racial and equal society. There is clearly more work to be done on protecting women in KwaZulu-Natal from violence through Prevention, Awareness, Care and Support to the victims. We must also strengthen the judiciary and support programmes which target women empowerment and provide closure for the survivors,“ remarked Premier Zikalala.

 

Hlengiwe Alexia "MaHadebe" Madlala was at the time of her passing away an Administrator in the Communication unit at the Office of the Premier. She was from Songozima village inVulindlela outside Pietermaritzburg.

 

“Hlengiwe died a brutal and gruesome death at the hands of a callous perpetrator. She would have celebrated her 40thbirthday in August this year. Unfortunately, her life has been cut short by this brutality,” said Premier Zikalala.

 

“On behalf of staff in the OTP and the entire provincial government, we wish to take this opportunity to convey our sincerest condolences to Hlengiwe’s family especially her children whom she loved so dearly. May the whole family be comforted in this hour of great pain, and may they find strength in the great memories shared with Hlengiwe and use these to remember the good times spent with Hlengiwe. May Her Soul Rest in Peace”.

 

Issued by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government

 

For more information please contact

L

ennox Mabaso on 082 884 2403 or

Thami Ngidi on 0663066793