- In short: Mauwa Kizenga, 22, died after an incident in Balga on Saturday night.
- She had been due to start a new job in the mining sector on Monday.
- What’s next? The man accused of her murder, 30-year-old Clarence Jalloh, faced court on Monday morning and has been remanded in custody.
The man accused of murdering 22-year-old Mauwa Kizenga in Balga on Saturday night has appeared briefly in a Perth court, as her family remembered the young woman as someone who loved to laugh.
Police say Ms Kizenga was stabbed just before 8pm on Saturday while visiting relatives in Balga.
She was taken to hospital but later died.
Police on Sunday charged Clarence Jalloh, 30, with murder over her death.
Mr. Jalloh made an appearance in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday, where the court was informed of his lengthy history of mental illness.
He didn’t have to plead; he just said that he understood the accusation after it was read to him.
Additionally, the magistrate informed Mr. Jalloh that he needed to go before the Supreme Court in order to request bail.
After then, the court ordered his remand and he is scheduled to return in April.
Members of the Liberian community were in court for his appearance.
‘She was happy’
Family member Oleri Nuke said Ms Kizenga was supposed to begin a new job this week.
“She was happy, she got a job in mining, she’s supposed to start today, supposed to fly to the mines … and then this happened,” she said.
Ms Nuke has been staying with Ms Kizenga’s mother since she died.
“She [her mother] has not accepted [it] — she’s been crying since Saturday from the time we were told she’d passed,” Ms Nuke said.
“She’s still crying and she’s not stopping, it’s so painful to see her like that, it’s really painful.”
Ms Nuke described the 22-year-old as someone who would always light up a room with laughter.
“Where she comes, a place she is [in], it’s just laughs. That’s what she does, she jokes,” Ms Nuke said.
Gone ‘too soon’
Ms Kizenga’s cousin Aline Mulumba described her as a kind-hearted woman.
“She’s lovely, she’s friendly with everyone, she talks to everyone,” Ms Mulumba said.
“I’ve been unable to do anything. My kids can’t go to school. It’s been a very painful moment,” she said.
“I’m all over the place.”
Ms Mulumba said she received a call from the victim’s mother.