South African Activist Beaten To Death In Her Home
Farm attack activist Annette Kennealy, 51, was found dead, an apparent victim of homicide in her farmhouse in Makhado, Limpopo. Kennealy’s relative found her bloodied corpse the following morning.
“The family members tried to call her without success, until one of them went to investigate. On arrival, he found the deceased inside the house lying in a pool of blood, with multiple stab wounds”, Police spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said.
The suspect, 40- year old Kenny Ramatshimbila has been detained. According to Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe of the Limpopo South African Police Service, “he faces charges of murder and house robbery”.
Ramatshimbila was denied bail and remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 1 July.
Kennealy was a staunch supporter of the white Afrikaner community and former councilor with South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance party.
She used social media to increase awareness on farm murders and some politicians’ calls for violence against the white farmers in South Africa. Just days before her murder, she shared a link to an article about the rise of farm attacks.
Dr. Dan Roodt of the Pro-Afrikaans Action Group (PRAAG) who knew her personally couldn’t believe that she had been murdered because Kennealy owned guns for protection.
“My friend and activist for rural safety, Annette Kennealy, has herself become the victim of a terrible farm murder… She was very brave, and always carried a firearm with her, a 9mm Astra pistol. Evidently, her preparedness was not enough to finally save her,” he said.
A DA spokesman in Limpopo paid tribute to her and called for justice.
“The DA would further like to express sincere gratitude to the South African Police Service and community institutions for their swift and professional reaction. We hope that those responsible will soon have their days in court and that justice will be served,” he said. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday 29 May at the Full Gospel Church in Louis Trichardt where a large crowd of family, friends and sympathizers is expected.