LIMPOPO – A 63-year-old man who reportedly shot and killed his wife during an argument was traced and arrested at his hideout on Tuesday evening, says the police. At the time of the murder, Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba ordered the police to hunt down the suspect and bring him to book.
The arrest emanated from a shooting incident in Mbhalati village outside Giyani on Saturday, 6 February.
During the incident a 55-year-old woman was shot and killed during an apparent argument with her husband. She died on the scene.
Wife shot during quarrel: Cops launch manhunt for husband
On arrival at the scene the police were informed that the suspect had already fled. A manhunt was immediately launched and the man was eventually traced to his hideout, an unoccupied house at Tshimbupve village in the Vuwani Policing area outside Thohoyandou, on Tuesday evening. He was arrested, said Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
Preliminary police investigations reveals that the motive for the incident may be related to domestic violence.
Nneke says the swift arrest of the man is a milestone achievement for the detective and officers involved. “The arrest of the suspect within a short space of time of the occurrence of the incident, must be seen as a clear evidence of our commitment in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, ” he concluded.
MEC for Social Development Nkakareng Rakgoale commended the police for the arrest and reiterated her concern over the re-emergence of GBV incidents in the province. “It is very disturbing to hear that the attacks on women and children are continuing in the Province, especially during the time in which we are still battling the effects brought about as a result of the Coronavirus. The criminals who are killing women and children must be brought to book. We hope that the police will fast-track their investigations and bring these suspects to book.”
She added that a team has been sent to the area to provide psychosocial support to the affected family.
“The department has a family preservation programme that can assist to build strong family units and our people are implored to make use of such services to avert some of these tragedies that leave children orphaned,” she added. The suspect is expected to appear in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 11 February.
Police investigations still continuing.
