The family of 40-year-old Kuma Papu is devastated after she was allegedly stabbed repeatedly by her boyfriend during an argument at a house in Mandalay, Mitchells Plain, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Belhar mother of two had reportedly visited her boyfriend in Mandalay on Saturday. Hours later, she was found with multiple stab wounds inside a locked bedroom. Police said a 44-year-old man was arrested in connection with her murder.
The tragedy has left Papu’s relatives struggling to understand how a family visit ended with a woman losing her life. Her aunt, Nondumiso Papu, said the family had watched reports about violence against women but never imagined that Kuma would become a victim.
“For the past few weeks, we have been seeing in the news how women are being killed. Never did we expect that our own daughter and mother’s life would be taken in this brutal way,” Nondumiso said.
Western Cape police confirmed that the incident happened in Wild Plum Street at about 01:30 on Sunday. Police were called to the property after people inside reportedly heard screaming from the bedroom.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said officers found Papu with multiple stab wounds when they arrived.
“Police members were called to the crime scene where they found the victim with multiple stab wounds to her body. The victim was declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel.”
Twigg said the circumstances surrounding the death were still being investigated. A 44-year-old man had been arrested and was expected to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court once he had been charged.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. We can confirm that a 44-year-old male was arrested in connection with the murder and will appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court once he has been charged.”
According to the family, Papu and her boyfriend were not alone in the house when the alleged argument began. Other people were reportedly sitting in the living room while the couple were in another part of the house.
Nondumiso said the family had been told that the argument escalated before Papu was pulled into a bedroom and the door was locked.
“There were a few people at the house. We are told that when the two of them started arguing, he pulled her into a bedroom and locked the door.“The other people who were chilling in the living room heard screaming and ran to inform the police.”
When police arrived, the boyfriend allegedly refused to open the bedroom door. Relatives were told that officers had to work to gain access while people inside the house waited for the situation to be brought under control.
The family also heard that the man allegedly tried to start a fire inside the house. Nondumiso said the people who had been at the property told relatives that he attempted to set a couch alight and threatened that everyone would die if police forced the door open.
“We were also told by the people who were with them in the house that he at one point tried to set a couch on fire. He [allegedly] told police that they would all die if they forced the door open.”
Police eventually managed to enter the room, where Papu was found with multiple stab wounds. She was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.
The details of what led to the argument, how long the confrontation lasted and what happened before police arrived will form part of the investigation. Statements from the people who were in the house, the police officers who attended the scene and forensic evidence from the bedroom are expected to assist investigators.
The 44-year-old accused is expected to appear in court once charged. He remains entitled to due process, and the allegations against him must be proven before a court.
For Papu’s family, the court appearance will be an important step, but it will not ease the pain of losing a mother, daughter and loved one. Nondumiso said Kuma’s mother was still struggling to accept her death, while her two children were also trying to understand what had happened.
“We are all heartbroken. Her mother is still in disbelief, and so are her two children.“Kuma was a kind, caring and understanding woman. She had so much love and life in her. She did not deserve to die this way.”
The family described Papu as a woman who cared deeply for the people around her. Her death has left relatives and friends preparing to mourn while also trying to support her children.
The killing has added to the national conversation about gender-based violence. In recent weeks, the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni have led to public protests, demands for stronger police action and renewed calls for an end to violence against women.
Nondumiso said the family had followed those reports but never believed the violence would reach their own home.
“The violence against women in South Africa has gotten bad. We see it on the news every day, but never did we think that we as a family would also be affected.”
The family is now asking the community to support them during the court process. Relatives hope that people will attend the appearance and stand with them as the murder case begins.
“We would appreciate it if anyone who can could come and support us at court tomorrow.”
The case has also raised questions about how quickly police can respond when people inside a home report screams or a violent confrontation. In this incident, those present allegedly alerted police after hearing Papu’s cries, and officers were then faced with a locked room and a suspect who allegedly refused to open the door.
Investigators will now need to reconstruct the entire sequence of events. They will examine who was present, what each witness heard or saw, whether the fire was started and how Papu sustained the injuries that caused her death.
The family’s account of the incident remains part of the information being investigated. The police statement confirms the fatal stabbing and the arrest, but the full circumstances will be dealt with through the court process.
Papu’s death has left two children without their mother and a family facing a loss they never expected. As the accused man prepares to appear before court, her relatives are calling for justice and asking the community not to look away from the violence that took Kuma’s life.
