A 22-year-old woman allegedly stabbed to death outside a primary school was on her way to visit a family member when she was attacked.
There has been an outpouring of grief for Mauwa Kizenga, also known as Melanie, after she was allegedly set upon in an ‘unprovoked’ attack in Balga, north Perth, on Saturday night.
Emergency services found Ms Kizenga with serious injuries opposite Balga Primary School at about 7.55pm.
While St John Ambulance paramedics worked to stabilise her at the scene, furious witnesses chased down the alleged knifeman and made a citizen’s arrest.
A man, 30, has since been charged with one count of murder. He is set to face Perth Magistrates Court on Monday.
Mauwa Kizenga (pictured) was allegedly stabbed to death in an ‘unprovoked’ attack near a primary school in north Perth
WA Police allege Ms Kizenga was walking to a family member’s home with her cousin when she was attacked (pictured, the scene on Sunday)
Ms Kizenga was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital where she later died.
Her family announced her death on Sunday night and shared a GoFundMe post to raise money for her funeral.
‘It saddens us today to announce the death of our beloved daughter, sister, niece, and friend Mauwa Kizenga,’ the GoFundMe read.
‘Mauwa was only 22 years old with her entire 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 wishes for their child.
‘Mauwa, you will be dearly missed; your smile, vibrancy and positive aura can never be replaced. May your soul find rest today.’
Western Australia Police allege Ms Kizenga was walking to a family member’s home with her cousin when she was attacked.
CCTV showed the pair together on Walderton Avenue. Moments later and just 100m down the road, Ms Kizenga was allegedly stabbed.
Witnesses rushed to help Ms Kizenga (pictured) and used a pair of socks to stem her bleeding, however she later died in hospital
Ms Kizenga’s cousin (pictured walking together moments before the alleged attack) was ‘screaming and crying’ at the scene
Nearby residents rushed to her side and attempted to save her life by using a pair of socks to stem the bleeding.
‘She was very bad, they were working on her and that, and her friend was screaming and crying and everything, it was very horrible to see,’ one horrified witness told Nine News.
Ms Kizenga’s close friend, Martha Pommet, said they grew up together after meeting at a birthday party almost 10 years ago.
‘She was very, very caring. The relationship that we had was very unique. She was like a twin,’ Ms Pommett told The West on Sunday.
One of Ms Kizenga’s cousins, Mary Kolanda, described her as a ‘big sister’ and shared the pair’s plans for an upcoming ‘big family holiday’ to Sydney.
‘Mauwa was just one of those people where she would drop everything just to be there for you,’ 18-year-old Mary said.
Police have charged a 30-year-old man arrested by witnesses with one count of murder (pictured, officers at the scene)
Ms Kizenga (pictured) has been remembered as ‘very caring’ and ‘filled with love, life and laughter’
‘When I started high school she was the main person who got me through it when I was getting bullied, she would say “Mary you are so beautiful, don’t let anybody tell you any different” and I’ve never forgotten that, I’ve got those words in the back of my mind.’
Det-Sen. Sgt 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 and disarm people armed with knives – in a violent incident they could have been harmed themselves,’ she said.
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