Western Australia Police have charged a 30-year-old man with the murder of Mauwa Kizenga on a suburban street in Perth.
The 22-year-old woman was walking with another woman in her 20s, believed to be her cousin, when Kizenga was reportedly stabbed by a man with a knife at around 8pm on Saturday night.
Eyewitnesses to the incident rushed to help Kizenga and call emergency services, while other onlookers chased the alleged attacker, forced him to drop the alleged weapon and held him down until the authorities arrived at the scene.
Paramedics treated Kizenga at the scene and rushed her to Royal Perth Hospital, where she later died from her severe injuries.
Meanwhile, police arrested the 30-year-old man and charged him with the murder of Kizenga.
In a statement, WA Police said the man “may be known” to the second woman who was with Kizenga before she was allegedly murdered.
“The investigation remains ongoing at this time,” the police said.
“It is believed the man may be known to a second woman, aged in her 20s, who was in company with the 22-year-old woman at the time of the incident.”
Speaking to reporters, Senior Sergeant Katharine Venn said police will continue their investigation, as no motive has been found at this time.
“It appears to be a violent and completely unprovoked attack,” Sergeant Venn said.
“Everyone deserves to be able to walk safely on our streets… We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and to the family of the poor young woman who passed away.”
Aline Mulumba, who is believed to have known Kizenga through their community in Perth, WA, created a GoFundMe page to raise money for Kizenga’s loved ones, who lost their “beloved daughter, sister, niece and friend”.
“A soul with so much light has gone too soon. An untimely death that no parent wishes for their child. A cruel death that nobody wishes for their loved ones,” the GoFundMe description reads.
“Mauwa, you will be dearly missed, your smile, vibrancy and positive aura can never be replaced.”
The 30-year-old man will face court on Monday, charged with Kizenga’s murder.
On average, in this country, one woman is killed every week by violence. However, as we enter the 12th week of 2024, 16 women have already been killed, according to Destroy the Joint’s Counting Dead Women.
The severity of male-perpetrated violence in Australia could not be clearer. Last month, 51-year-old Samantha Murphy was allegedly murdered while she was out for her regular Sunday morning run. Police allege 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson is responsible for her death.
Women from minority groups, including women of colour, migrant and refugee women, face greater risk of being murdered by male-perpetrated violence than white women. In Australia, an Indigenous woman is eight times more likely to be killed by her current or former partner than her non-Indigenous counterpart.
Just last week, the body of Chaithanya “Swetha” Madhagani was discovered in a rubbish bin outside of Geelong over the weekend. She was allegedly murdered by her husband, Ashok Raj Varikuppala, who fled to India with her three-year-old son following the incident.
The names of these women and their perpetrators continue to make headlines in Australia, the government puts time, money and resources into plans and strategies to erase gender-based violence – yet year after year, the numbers remain unchanged.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.