A young woman who was 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 subjected to an ‘unprovoked’ attack in Balga, north of Perth, on Saturday night.
Emergency services found Mrs Kizenga with serious injuries opposite Balga Primary School at around 7.55pm.
As St John Ambulance worked to stabilize her at the scene, furious witnesses chased the suspected knifeman and made a citizen’s arrest.
A 30-year-old man has since been charged with one count of murder. He is due to appear in 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, scene on Sunday)
Ms Kizenga was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital where she later died.
Her family announced her death Sunday evening and shared a GoFundMe post to raise money for her funeral.
“We are saddened 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 his whole life ahead of him. She was filled with love, life and laughter.
‘A soul of so much light has gone too soon. An untimely death that no parent wants for their child.
‘Mauwa, you will be deeply missed; your smile, liveliness and positive aura can never be replaced. May your soul find rest today.’
Western Australian police allege Ms Kizenga was walking to a family member’s home with a relative 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 Mrs Kizenga (pictured) and used a pair of socks to stem her bleeding wounds, but she later died in hospital
Mrs Kizenga’s cousin (photo joins moments before the alleged attack) ‘screamed and cried’ at the scene
Nearby residents rushed to her side and tried 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,” said a horrified witness. 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 we had was very unique. She was like a twin,’ Mrs 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 just 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 (pictured, officers at the scene)
Mrs Kizenga (pictured) has been remembered as ‘very caring’ and ‘full of love, life and laughter’
‘When I started high school she was the main person who got me through it when I was being bullied, she said ‘Mary you’re so beautiful, don’t let anyone tell you different’ and I’ve never forgotten that. I have those words in the back of my head.’
That-Sen. Sgt Venn thanked witnesses who arrested the alleged attacker but reminded the public not to approach people with guns.
“We would not encourage people to try to disarm people armed with knives – in a violent incident they could have injured themselves,” she said.
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