The man escaped but was found dead the following day. Matutsa's case has ignited debate about women's rights, with activists saying the law should protect women who kill in self-defence, given the prevalence of sexual violence in the country. The law states if a person believes "genuinely and on reasonable grounds" they are defending themselves or someone else from an unlawful attack they should be entitled to a "complete or partial defence to any criminal charge". The Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association and Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) have offered Matutsa legal representation and counselling. In a statement supplied to The Guardian the WLSA said Matutsa "acted in self-defence and did not intend on committing murder".