The Sabsana family, in Crossroads, is battling to come to terms with the untimely death of their daughter, Unathi.
The 28-year-old was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in front of her 10-year-old son, on Monday November 27, just two days into the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
She was shot just a few metres away from her home, around 9pm.
Unathi ran a successful vetkoek business for nearly four years.
Her father, Dumalisile Sabsana, said his daughter had just parked her bakkie after fetching them from the church.
He believed that her ex-boyfriend followed them from the church and had waited for the “right time” to attack.
Mr Sabsana said the suspect strolled away after the shooting. “He killed my daughter like a dog,” said Mr Sabsana. “Why did he kill her?
“We have lost our breadwinner and our lives will never be the same again.”
The 27-year-old man handed himself over to the Gugulethu police station when he realised police were hot on his heels.
He appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday December 4, on charges of murder and detectives were expected to oppose bail.
The suspect is also wanted for a series of other crimes.
Gugulethu police station spokeperson, Constable Sindisiwe Ngqele, said Unathi passed away on her arrival at the KTC clinic. She had two gunshot wounds at the back of her head and another one on the right side of her upper body.
When Vukani visited the family last week Tuesday, November 28, relatives, community leaders and neighbours had gathered at the Sabsana house to comfort them.
Mr Sabsana said the pair had been dating for almost three years, although their relationship was characterised by abuse.
He claimed that at times the accused would grab Unathi’s car keys and run away.
Mr Sabsana said they had relied on police for regular interventions.
He accused the suspect of being jealous, claiming he reacted angrily whenever he saw Unathi talking to another man.
He said the family had advised Unathi to get a court interdict against the man but he had disobeyed it.
Unathi died two days before they were meant to appear in court, said Mr Sabsana.
He said they had warned the suspect to stay away from their daughter several times and also informed his family that he had been abusing their child.
He said three week ago Unathi took a holiday to the Eastern Cape with the intention to ease her mind and be away from her ex-boyfriend.
Deputy Police Minister, Bongani Mkhongi, visited the family on Friday December 1.
He told the family that he had given the police a “direct order” to arrest the suspect before the end of the 16 Days campaign, which runs annually from November 25 to December 10.
Mr Mkongi said as police they worked tirelessly to root out crime. He said what happened to Unathi should not happen to any other woman. He said they were prepared to oppose bail in the case.
“I want to assure you that we will make it a point that justice is served. The blood of Unathi won’t be in vain,” he said.
Provincial police commissioner, Major General Khombinkosi Jula, said if the family felt unsafe they should not hesitate to call them. He promised additional police for the area.
