Murdered Tsumeb woman advocated against GBV

A WEEK before Rejoice Shovaleka (20) was murdered, she spoke to her cousins about the persisting issue of violence against women.

Little did she know her life would soon end at the hands of a man.

Rejoice was stabbed in the neck last Saturday.

According to the police’s weekly crime report released on Monday, it is alleged that Rejoice and her friend, Agnes Simon, were on their way back home from a party when an unknown man started chasing them, grabbed her and stabbed her in the neck with an unknown object.

The incident took place at Tsumeb. Rejoice was taken to hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.

She was a third-year accounting student at the University of Namibia, but was at Tsumeb since face-to-face classes were halted. Her mother stays in Windhoek.

National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi yesterday said the suspect has not been arrested yet, but police investigations continue.

Rejoice’s uncle, Toivo Shovaleka, yesterday said a week before her death she visited him at Ongwediva.

Toivo said Rejoice spoke to his daughters about violence – specifically against women and children.

She played a theme song about violence, which Toivo says he wants to play at her memorial service.

The song is ‘Madoda Sabelani’, by South African artist Lloyiso Gijana, and calls for an end to femicide.

“We listened to the song again, and it is a message about violence against women and children, and that our society is sick, and we should be on the alert,” Toivo said.

Simon invited Rejoice to a house party, where they were dropped off with the understanding they would be picked up afterwards, he said.

However, they could not reach their lift home when the time came.

Toivo said as it was getting late, Rejoice started getting uncomfortable and worried.

She called home and asked family members to meet her halfway. Simon decided to join her walking home.

“As they were walking not far from the house where the party was, they saw a man approaching them. Rejoice felt uncomfortable and wanted to run, but the friend advised her not run to show the man they are not afraid,” he said.

Eventually both Rejoice and Simon started running.

The unidentified man reportedly ran after Rejoice and caught up with her before stabbing her and taking her jersey.

Toivo said family members arrived shortly after the incident and Rejoice told them she was hurt.

Meanwhile, Simon returned to Rejoice as they had separated while running.

A while later, Rejoice collapsed and was rushed to hospital where she died due to internal bleeding.

Simon was admitted to hospital as well and was discharged the next day.

“We are not sure what happened, we don’t know what the motive was – particularly because she escaped with her cellphone and nothing was taken, not even her handbag. It puzzles us a lot. On the one hand it could have been purely criminal, or maybe he wanted to rape her,” Toivo said.

The community of Tsumeb will be holding a vigil tomorrow (today) at the scene in memory of Rejoice, her uncle said.

“The community asked to hold the vigil so that the person who committed the crime, if he is being housed somewhere around there, can come out. We are serious about raising this issue for the late Rejoice and making sure it does not happen again,” he said.

The two have been childhood friends, and Simon said Rejoice was always there for her.

Shikwambi has called on the public to come forward with information that may lead to the perpetrator’s arrest.

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