A 29-year-old security guard who allegedly murdered his girlfriend and tried to kill her three-year-old son has been arrested. He appeared at the Mecklenburg Magistrates Court on Monday facing charges of murder and attempted murder. The body of the 22-year-old woman was discovered on Saturday, 26 March, in the bushes near Mamphahlane village, outside Burgersfort in Limpopo.
The woman was found to have been stabbed by the suspect multiple times. Her son who was badly injured, led the residents to her body and the community members alerted the police at what had transpired, said Brigadier Motlalefa Mojapelo, the police spokesperson.
The woman has been identified as Fezile Nqumalo from KwaZulu-Natal. She was reported missing by her family in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga earlier on.
“Police opened a case of murder and attempted murder, and a manhunt for the suspect commenced immediately. Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect stabbed both the woman and her son. The three-year-old victim apparently regained consciousness and was able to raise the alarm,” said Mojapelo.
“A well-coordinated investigation conducted by the police in Witbank in collaboration with investigators from Driekop police station led to the swift arrest of the suspect,” Mojapelo added.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Limpopo Provincial Commissioner has lauded the co-ordinated investigation and the swift arrest of the security guard.
“As we continue the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, this arrest will bring a certain level of solace to the affected family. Even though it will not bring back their loved one… it will send a clear message to other perpetrators of these horrendous crimes that the police will be relentless in pursuit of justice,” said Hadebe
Source: News24, The South African, Opera News, image from The South African: Pexel
