Durban mother killed just days after GBVF Council appointed
A Durban woman, Zodwa Prudence Magwaza, was tragically murdered just eight days after the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
On August 1, 2026, the National Council on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) was appointed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a three-year term. Just eight days later, on August 9, 2026, a tragic incident occurred in Durban. Zodwa Prudence Magwaza, a 43-year-old mother of two, was found dead at her home in Cornubia Housing settlement.
Magwaza's boyfriend allegedly assaulted her, causing her to collapse at a neighbor's doorstep. She had reportedly tried to call for help but succumbed to her injuries. Police have classified this as a case of murder and are investigating the incident. Rory Macpherson, a DA councillor, expressed concern over the lack of support provided to the family since the incident, stating that one family member knew about the assaults but remained silent due to threats.
The GBVF Council, tasked with eliminating gender-based violence and femicide, was formed with the aim of challenging harmful attitudes and practices, advancing women's economic empowerment, strengthening law enforcement, and scaling up survivor-centered support. The DA Women's Network KwaZulu-Natal (DAWN-KZN) chairperson, Remona McKenzie, condemned the incident as not an isolated case, highlighting the prevalence of violence in many homes in the province.
She emphasized that women continue to die at home and children are forced to bear witness to brutal acts, leaving them with a lifetime of trauma. McKenzie called for immediate action to prevent further loss of lives and to support victims and their families.
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