Everyone realises why Reeva Steenkamp’s name still echoes across South Africa. She was a model, a law graduate, and a voice for women’s rights, shot and killed in her home by the man who claimed to love her. Her death behind a locked bathroom door revealed the deadly cost of gender based violence. Her story …
Everyone realises why Anni Dewani’s name still lingers in the heart of this nation. She was beautiful, brilliant, and newly married when her life was cut short during her honeymoon. Shot and left in the back seat of a taxi, her death shocked the world and raised questions that still echo. But Anni became more …
Everyone realises why Joshlin Smith’s name cannot be forgotten. She was just six years old when she vanished near her home in Saldanha Bay, her disappearance shaking the nation. As hope turned to horror, her case exposed deep failures in protection, care, and accountability. Her story is a plea to never look away again.
Everyone realises why Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels was admired: she didn’t just fight in the ring, she fought for every woman’s right to live without fear. Her strength and spirit stood not only for South Africa, but for every woman around the world facing or about to face abuse. In her courage, the fight continues …
Everyone realises why Hannah Cornelius’s story still demands we listen. She left a night out trying to protect a friend, only to be kidnapped, brutally assaulted, and murdered by a group of attackers. Her life silenced too soon, her name became a rallying cry, a reminder that violence against women cannot be ignored, and that …
Memorial Wall: Lost to Gender‑Based Violence in South Africa
Tshiamo Moramaga (22)
Circumstances: Found shot dead early Sunday morning along with her cousin in Mamelodi East Extension 17. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Perpetrator(s) & Status: A 38‑year‑old man arrested in connection with two counts of murder and one attempted murder. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Baleseng Moramaga (21)
Circumstances: Found shot dead early Sunday morning along with her cousin in Mamelodi East Extension 17. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Same suspect; investigation ongoing. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Amanda Manentsa (41)
Note: Verified details found via credible news sources.
Circumstances: Shot dead while waiting inside her locked car after a tyre burst on the R300 highway on 26 July. (Mother of three)
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Unknown assailants; no arrests reported yet; reward offered.
Elsa Rabia Persens (21)
Circumstances: Shot during a roadside robbery while the car she was driving in became stuck on Baden‑Powell Drive.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Case mishandled — the docket disappeared; no one convicted.
Hannah Cornelius (21)
Circumstances: Abducted with a friend, gang‑raped, and murdered; body found on Knorhoek Road.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Vernon Witbooi, Geraldo Parsons, Nashief Schroeder, and Eben van Niekerk — combined 358 years imprisonment.
Uyinene Mrwetyana (19)
Circumstances: Raped and murdered inside a post office; body dumped and burned.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Luyanda Botha — three life sentences after plea deal.
Karabo Mokoena (22)
Circumstances: Murdered; body burned and buried by boyfriend.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Sandile Mantsoe — 32‑year sentence.
Tshegofatso Pule (28, pregnant)
Circumstances: Shot and hung from a tree while eight months pregnant.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Ntuthuko Shoba (life) and hit‑man Muzikayise Malephane (20 years).
Nosicelo Mtebeni (23)
Circumstances: Dismembered; remains found in bags and a room.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Boyfriend Alutha Pasile — 25 years.
Zolile Khumalo (21)
Circumstances: Shot at student residence by ex‑boyfriend.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Thabani Mzolo — life sentence.
Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels (25)
Circumstances: Boxing champion shot while driving; mother wounded.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Boyfriend (police officer) Bantumecube Ntlane — died in car crash after arrest.
Meghan Cremer (30)
Circumstances: Found strangled near sand mine after abduction from farm.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Jeremy Sias — acquitted of murder; state appealed.
Thandeka Mdeliswa (34)
Circumstances: Actress shot during altercation at family home.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Mpumelelo Manzini — 25 years imprisonment.
Sheri‑Ann Pretorius (36)
Circumstances: Death initially treated as suicide; later investigated as murder.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Husband Jacques Pretorius — charged; trial pending.
Namhla Mtwa (34)
Circumstances: Shot multiple times in her driveway after leaving abusive relationship.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Ex‑partner Major Bheki Mtolo implicated; no conviction to date.
Hillary Gardee (28)
Circumstances: Kidnapped and murdered; body found outside town.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Three men arrested; linked to other murders; trial underway.
Precious Ramabulana (21)
Circumstances: Raped and stabbed 52 times in residence room.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Aubrey Manaka — life sentence.
Sinoxolo Mafevuka (19)
Circumstances: Raped and murdered in communal toilet near home.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Two men arrested; trial highlighted policing failures.
Franziska Blöchliger (16)
Circumstances: Raped and murdered while jogging in Tokai Forest.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Three men convicted – effective 43 years in prison.
Courtney Pieters (3)
Circumstances: Raped and murdered; body buried near home.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Mortimer Saunders – life sentence.
Jesse Hess (18)
Circumstances: Student murdered in flat with her grandfather.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Steven Chad Booysen – two life sentences.
Siam Lee (20)
Circumstances: Abducted and killed; body found near New Hanover.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Suspect committed suicide while awaiting trial.
Jayde Panayiotou (29)
Circumstances: Kidnapped and murdered in hit arranged by husband.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Christopher Panayiotou – life imprisonment.
Naledi Phangindawo (25)
Circumstances: Attacked with a sharp object in public.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Ex‑partner – lengthy sentence (24 years).
Asithandile “Kwasa” Zozo (20)
Circumstances: Fatally stabbed by ex‑boyfriend.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Convicted – 20 years.
Palesa Madiba (21)
Circumstances: Student went missing; remains found two years later.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Dumisani Masilela – found guilty 2019.
Anene Booysen (17)
Circumstances: Gang‑raped and murdered; case sparked national outrage.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Johannes Kana — two life sentences.
Reeva Steenkamp (29)
Circumstances: Shot through bathroom door by partner Oscar Pistorius.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Pistorius – murder conviction, paroled 2024.
Marike de Klerk (64)
Circumstances: Former First Lady found strangled and stabbed at home.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Security guard – convicted and sentenced.
Leigh Matthews (21)
Circumstances: Kidnapped after leaving campus; ransom demanded; murdered.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Donovan Moodley – life sentence; parole opposed by family.
Jordan‑Leigh “Baby Jordan” Norton (6 months)
Circumstances: Infant murdered by hitmen posing as couriers.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Dina Rodrigues and accomplices – life sentences.
Zoliswa Nkonyana (19)
Circumstances: Stoned and stabbed in hate‑crime attack.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Four men – 18 years each.
Eudy Simelane (31)
Circumstances: Banyana Banyana footballer – gang‑raped and murdered (hate crime).
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Two men – life plus 32 years.
Nokuphila Khumalo (29)
Circumstances: Beaten to death on street in assault by artist.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Zwelethu Mthethwa – 18 years.
Charmaine Maré (16)
Circumstances: Teen murdered and dismembered.
Perpetrator(s) & Status: Johan de Jager – guilty verdict 2015.
This memorial wall is an evolving record of South African women and girls lost to gender‑based violence (1994–2025). Each name represents a life taken by senseless brutality. If you know of a verified case to add, please submit a link from reputable sources so we can keep their stories alive. #RememberHer