LEBOGANG SEALE
SHE was blinded by love to stay in an abusive relationship. Even after obtaining a protection order against her violent boyfriend, Nonosi Maria Makgetha still returned to him because of her “undying love” for him.
Now, her family believe her love for the boyfriend cost her her life.
On Saturday, the man allegedly severely assaulted Makgetha until she died.
Makgetha, 28, had left her Mapetla home on Friday evening to attend a vigil in the neighbourhood. At about 11am on Saturday, the police visited her relatives.
Without breaking the news, the detectives asked the family to accompany them to the nearby Protea police station to help identify a suspect.
After identifying the man as Edison Dikinyika, Makgetha’s boyfriend, the police told the family that the man had gone to the station to confess to murdering her.
“They told us he had killed her by repeatedly beating her with a vuvuzela and snooker sticks and a vase. I couldn’t believe it. I thought I was waking from a dream,” said Mpho Motolo, Makgetha’s younger sister.
Members of the family went to the morgue on Monday to identify Makgetha.
Makgetha’s grandmother, Dina Serekweng, was so overcome with grief that she could not speak.
Police spokesman Captain Mbulaheni Netshivhodza said the incident happened after an argument. The 35-year-old suspect appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he was charged with murder. He was remanded in custody until next week.
Motolo alleged that Dikinyika had a history of violence and had on several occasions threatened to kill her sister if she divorced him.
“He used to write her letters telling her how much he loved her, that she was the only woman he loved and that he would never divorce her.
“But he once told her that if she left him, he would kill her,” said Motolo, adding that Dikinyika – who worked as a car guard – was recently fired after allegedly assaulting a colleague.
Motolo said Makgetha lived with Dikinyika at his house in Protea North.
“She was scared of him because he was abusive. She tried to leave him, but she would later go back to him. I think she loved him.”
Her voice quivering, Motolo added: “I wish we could have a referendum about bringing back the death penalty. Then I can vote for those who commit senseless murders to be killed too.
“Lot of murderers get away with lighter sentences in this country, and that is why crime will never decrease.”