A young woman allegedly stabbed to death outside a primary school has been identified as a 22-year-old who was visiting family.
There has been an outpouring of grief for Mauwa Kizenga, also known as Melanie, after she was allegedly attacked in an ‘unprovoked’ attack in Balga, Perth’s north, on Saturday evening.
Emergency services found Ms Kizenga opposite Balga Primary School with serious injuries at around 7.55pm.
As St John Ambulance attempted to stabilize her at the scene, irate witnesses chased the alleged knifeman and arrested a member of the public.
A 30-year-old man has since been charged with one murder. He will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday.
Mauwa Kizenga (pictured) allegedly stabbed to death in an ‘unprovoked’ attack near a primary school in Perth’s north
WA Police allege Ms Kizenga was walking to a relative’s house with her cousin when she was attacked (pictured, Sunday’s scene)
Ms Kizenga was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital where she later died.
Her family announced her death on Sunday evening and shared a message GoFundMe post to raise money for her funeral.
“We are saddened to announce today the death of our beloved daughter, sister, niece and friend Mauwa Kizenga,” the GoFundMe said.
‘Mauwa was only 22 years old and still had her whole life ahead of her. She was filled with love, life and laughter.
‘A soul with so much light has gone too soon. An untimely death that no parent wants for their child.
‘Mauwa, you will be greatly missed; your smile, liveliness and positive attitude can never be replaced. May your soul find peace today.”
Western Australian police allege Ms Kizenga was walking to a relative’s home with a relative when she was attacked.
CCTV showed the pair together on Walderton Avenue. Moments later, just 100 meters away, Ms Kizenga was allegedly stabbed.
Witnesses rushed to help Ms Kizenga (pictured) and used a pair of socks to staunch her bleeding wounds, but she later died in hospital
Ms Kizenga’s cousin (pictured walking together just before the alleged attack) was at the scene ‘screaming and crying’
Local residents rushed to her side and tried to save her life by using a pair of socks to stop the bleeding.
“She was very bad, they were messing with her and everything, and her friend was screaming and crying and everything, it was very horrible to see,” said a shocked witness. Nine news.
Ms Kizenga’s close friend Martha Pommet said they grew up together after meeting at a birthday party almost a decade ago.
‘She was very caring. The relationship we had was very unique. She was like a twin,” Ms Pommett said The West on Sunday.
One of Ms Kizenga’s cousins, Mary Kolanda, described her as a “big sister” and shared the couple’s plans for an upcoming “big family holiday” to Sydney.
“Mauwa was just one of those people where she would drop everything to be there for you,” said 18-year-old Mary.
Police have charged a 30-year-old man, arrested by witnesses, with one count of murder (photo, officers on scene)
Mrs Kizenga (pictured) is remembered as ‘very caring’ and ‘full of love, life and laughter’
“When I went to high school, she was the main person who helped me through it when I was being bullied, she said, ‘Mary, you’re so beautiful, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise’ and I’ve never forgotten that. I have those words in the back of my mind.”
Det-Sen. Sergeant Venn thanked witnesses who arrested the alleged attacker, but reminded the public not to approach people with weapons.
‘We would not encourage people to try to disarm people armed with knives; in a violent incident they could have been injured themselves,” she said.
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