A 28-year-old man allegedly knifed his ex-girlfriend to death shortly after she obtained a protection order against him, in one of the most brutal femicide incidents reported in Limpopo.
The 25-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed multiple times at rental rooms near a crèche in Mashamothane B1, Sekhukhune, during the early hours of Saturday.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said police were conducting sector patrols when they received information at about 4.22am that a woman had allegedly been stabbed by her ex-boyfriend.
When police arrived at the scene, Emergency Medical Services personnel from Dilokong were already present.
The woman was found lying lifeless inside a room with multiple stab wounds to various parts of her body.
According to police, the victim’s sister was inside the room when she heard a dog barking outside. She then allegedly heard the voice of the deceased’s ex-boyfriend.
Moments later, the suspect allegedly forced open the door and entered the room.
Fearing for her safety, the sister ran outside screaming for help. Another tenant responded to her cries and accompanied her back to the room.
They allegedly found the victim lying in a pool of blood, while the suspect had already fled the scene.
Police later established that the woman had previously obtained a protection order against the suspect, which prohibited him from entering her place of residence or communicating with her.
The Local Criminal Record Centre and Forensic Pathology Services were summoned to the scene to process evidence and assist with the investigation.
Following an intensive investigation, the Tubatse Tracing Team and standby members tracked the suspect to Lebowakgomo, where he was arrested.
Police also recovered and seized the alleged murder weapon.
The suspect faces charges of murder, possession of a dangerous weapon and contravention of the Domestic Violence Act.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers commended the Tubatse tracing team for their swift response in tracking down the suspect.
Scheepers said the team acted urgently to ensure the suspect was brought before the court to account for the alleged act of violence.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court soon.
Police investigations are continuing.
