A 52-year-old woman was shot dead by her partner on Saturday, 22 February at about 2.15pm on the R400 (Maropeng Road) in the Hekpoort policing precinct.

A statement released by Hekpoort Police’s spokesperson, Constable Gloria Maswanganye states that according to an eyewitness, the woman was running next to the road being chased by her alleged partner who had a firearm in his hand.

“The eyewitness stopped, trying to assist, but that man pointed the firearm at her and instructed her to leave. The man then shot the woman in the head. He then followed the witness with the victim’s car but she managed to flee,” the statement reads.

The eyewitness then phoned the police and emergency services for assistance. When she returned to the scene, emergency personnel told her that the woman had passed away.

Police launched a manhunt that led them to Mogwase in Rustenburg, where the 84-year-old suspect was found hanging from a tree at Manyane Game Reserve, shortly after midnight on Sunday.

Station Commander of Hekpoort Police, Captain Kgomotso Manthata, condemned the barbaric act of violence against this woman.

She was also within the group of officers who left no stoned unturned in finding the suspect.

“When visiting churches today, Manthata appealed to all men to go back to their roots where men were protectors of families and loved ones and called on them to stop abusing women and children,” the statement concluded.