Macie addresses mourners at funeral of Jabulile Ntimba

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Jackie Macie has addressed mourners at the funeral of Jabulile Ntimba, whose death has intensified concerns over the killings of women in and around Kempton Park.

Ntimba was laid to rest in Mpumalanga on Saturday following the discovery of her body in the east of Johannesburg last week. She was identified by police as the ninth woman found dead in the area over a period of about two months.

Macie, who spoke to mourners during the funeral proceedings, addressed the broader crisis of gender-based violence and the need for communities and law enforcement agencies to confront violence against women.

The MEC has previously spoken about the difficulty of addressing gender-based violence, particularly in cases where violence occurs between people who know each other or are in relationships.

Ntimba's death is among a series of killings that have triggered public concern and calls for decisive action from authorities.

Two women, aged 31 and 38, have been arrested in connection with Ntimba's murder and appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court earlier this week. They face charges including murder, perverting the course of justice and possession of a dangerous weapon. A man who was also arrested was not charged after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence at that stage.

The National Prosecuting Authority said the two accused women were allegedly known to Ntimba and had been with her on the night of the incident. Their bail hearing is expected to continue on 1 October.

The funeral comes as investigations into the deaths of women in the Kempton Park area continue, with police maintaining that they are following evidence and have cautioned against rushing investigations simply to make arrests.

Macie is the MEC responsible for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety and Security Liaison.