Limpopo MEC for Social Development, Nkakareng Rakgoale, has condemned the murder. Police say Maidi Malefofane was found with several stab wounds to her body at her house. “It is very disturbing to see an elderly woman violated in this manner. It cannot be that we have people in society who do not respect the rights of elderly citizens of our province. We call on anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrator of this gruesome act to contact the police.
Social workers have been dispatched to the area for them to start with the provision of psychosocial support to the family and other affected parties. This gender-based violence (GBV) incident once again puts in the spotlight the safety of our vulnerable groups of society,” said Rakgoale.
In the other news, six suspects aged between 22 and 44, were arrested for the murder of 23-year-old Kgaogelo Maake from Mamotintane village. It is alleged that a group of people was drinking in one of the houses at Morutji village in the Tzaneen area on Tuesday, March 1 when one of the men shot the victim.
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“A team of investigators was assembled to probe the murder. Members of the Tzaneen Tracing Team (TTT) received information on the whereabouts of the suspect who turned out to be a local musician. The information led the members to a location at Mohlakamosoma village in the Bolobedu area where the suspect was found hiding at his aunt’s place. He was immediately apprehended,” said Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, police spokesperson.
A further probe led to the arrest of two women and a man believed to be the suspect’s wife, brother-in-law, and aunt. The three were arrested for defeating the ends of justice after they allegedly took the suspect’s firearm and concealed it in Relela village in the Tzaneen area. The said firearms were recovered with serial numbers filed off.
“The team went on to arrest two more suspects who are said to be the companions of the arrested artist and recovered two firearms with serial numbers also filed off. The two have been charged with possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. The firearms that have been recovered will be subjected to ballistic investigations to determine if they were previously used in the commission of other crimes,” he added.
The provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe has commended the police in Tzaneen for arresting six suspects.
“As we continue the fight against GBV and femicide, arrests like these will send a clear message that the police will be relentless in pursuit of all criminals who perpetrate crimes against the vulnerable members of the society,” said Hadebe. Hadebe concluded by thanking community members for continuously assisting the police in the fight against crime.
The suspects are expected to appear in Tzaneen Magistrate Court tomorrow, Wednesday, May 18.
