Precious Ramabulana: Alleged killer was facing major rape case

President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed more about the shady background of a man accused of “slaughtering” a 21-year-old TVET student in Limpopo. Precious Ramabulana was stabbed multiple times and sexually assaulted, and the 21-year-old eventually died from injuries sustained in the attack

Precious Ramabulana: What we know about the suspect

Ramaphosa held a private meeting with the family at Ramabulana’s house just outside Makhado, before addressing the media. The suspect will be in the dock this week, but he arguably should have been there much earlier – the head of state revealed that the perpetrator had been facing rape charges before murdering Precious Ramabulana:

“The perpetrator had had his brushes with the law on the rape-type of charge. I don’t have the full details and he was still out patrolling the streets of our country. This is a national shame, that a young girl who had such a promising future her life has been cut short by a man who killed her so brutally.”

Cyril Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the family

This damning revelation will do nothing to quell the anger of South Africans across the country. In fact, 2019 has been a miserable year for women: Gender-based violence has reached an epidemic level, and a string of high-profile murders have forced the government to bring in emergency legislation – but these horrendous femicides continue to happen.

President @CyrilRamaphosa has arrived at the Ramabula family home in Makhado, Limpopo province to pay his respects following the passing of #PreciousRamabulana. Ramabulana was attacked and killed in her student accommodation in Mokomene, Limpopo last week Sunday. pic.twitter.com/AJQSuInhR6

— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) December 1, 2019

It’s understood Ramabulana was raped, and stabbed 52 times in her own dorm room on Sunday 24 November 2019. Police confirmed on the following day that an investigation was underway and that they were looking for one male suspect.  

Details of Precious Ramabulana’s death

The accused was arrested early on Thursday 28 November 2019, at his parent’s home in Nyakelang in Botlokwa (Limpopo). Police said a murder weapon and a cellphone, supposedly stolen from the Ramabulana, and blood-stained clothes were amongst some of the things found in the suspect’s possession. The 28-year-old defendant will appear in court on Monday.

BREAKING: #PreciousRamabulana President Cyril has told the media outside the home of the slain Limpopo student that her alleged killer had a pending rape case against him when he murdered her. pic.twitter.com/E9SGzBgsXX

— Kgomotso Modise (@motso_modise) December 1, 2019