A young woman had recently been reunited with her family and was about to start a new life when she was allegedly stabbed to death in an “unprovoked” attack, her distraught mother has revealed.
Mauwa Kizenga, 22, and her cousin were on their way to visit relatives when she was allegedly assaulted by a stranger in a random attack outside a primary school in Balga, in Perth’s north, on Saturday night.
She was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
Good Samaritan bystanders ran into the street to chase the alleged knifeman and make a citizen’s arrest. He has since been charged with murder.
Ms Kizenga traveled 3,400km back to Perth from Melbourne earlier this year to help care for her mother and start a new job in mining.
Her heartbroken mother broke her silence on Monday, the day her eldest daughter was set to begin her new career.
The death of Mauwa Kizenga (photo) sparked a wave of tributes
“She was everything to me,” Petronia Wabiwa told Seven News.
“I need the government to defend this case for my daughter.
“They (the alleged attacker) killed my daughter for nothing.
“My daughter didn’t do anything.”
The family moved to Australia in 2009 for a better life after fleeing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ms. Kizenga grew up to be a primary breadwinner who provided for her mother and younger siblings.
She was described by her mother as outgoing, full of life, who loved going out and making friends.
“She had a job in Victoria but then she got a job here in the mines which she was supposed to start today (Monday),” Ms Wabiwa said. Western Australia.
“She always organized birthday parties for her younger siblings, she bought me special clothes.”
Another relative added that Mauwa “did everything” for his family.
“She (Ms. Wabiwa) feels very alone because she has younger children and she is worried about who will help her,” said a relative.
As her daughter’s alleged attacker appeared in court on Monday, Petronia Wabiwa (pictured) sobbed as she demanded justice.
Mauwa had recently returned to Perth and was about to start a new job in the mines.
Friends set up a online fundraising to help the family with funeral expenses.
“Mauwa was only 22 years old and had her whole life ahead of her. She was filled with love, life and laughter,” the page says.
“A soul with so much light is gone too soon. A premature death that no parent wants for their child. A cruel death that no one wishes for their loved ones.
“Mauwa, we will miss you very much, your smile, your dynamism and your positive aura can never be replaced.”
The GoFundMe appeal raised nearly $7,000 in two days.
As Ms Kizenga’s family grapples with the devastating loss, her alleged attacker Clarence Jalloh, 30, appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday, where his long history of mental illness was detailed.
Mauwa Kizenga, 22 (pictured), was the life of the party who did everything for his mother and younger siblings as one of the family’s main providers.
Jalloh did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to appear at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on April 17.
Jalloh, who has links to Perth’s Liberian community, had several supporters in court, who expressed their condolences to Ms Kizenga’s family outside court.
“We are here only to sympathize with the bereaved family and we want to apologize for what happened, this should not happen in our community,” Dave Jallah told reporters.
“We all feel very sad…this shouldn’t have happened. It’s a difficult time.
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Mauwa was allegedly stabbed to death by an unknown person in an unprovoked attack on Saturday evening. Pictured is the scene the next morning