On Monday afternoon police managed to arrest the man with the help of the local community. According to police, the suspect was hiding from the law in Tshube village in the Mashishimale area. The arrest comes after Judith Mathebula (26) succumbed to stab wounds, in an open field in Makhushane village. Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the suspect asked the deceased to meet up with him at a field. He allegedly wanted to hand her items he had bought for their child.

Mathebula went to the location accompanied by her niece. However, when the deceased arrived, she was allegedly grabbed and stabbed with a sharp object by her former boyfriend. The suspect fled the scene on foot. When police arrived, they found the victim in a pool of blood in the field. Limpopo police spokesman, Col Malesela Ledwaba, said Mathebula had stab wounds on her head and neck and was certified dead at the scene. Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has condemned the incident.

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The commissioner said she is highly concerned about the recent spate of deadly gender-based violence (GBV) cases in the province. A week ago, on Sunday, April 2, a medical doctor allegedly shot his wife and then himself in Polokwane. She also referred to a case where a man shot his wife in Mankweng. “We call upon couples who might be experiencing marital or relationship problems to urgently seek assistance. GBV is a societal problem,” she said.

The suspect will appear before the Namakgale Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, April 5. At the time of going to press, the outcome of the court appearance was not known. Residents can report any GBV incidents to the nearest police station or call the crime line on 0860 010 111. Alternatively, People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) can be contacted at 011 642 4345/6, and TEARS Foundation, a foundation led by women is available 24 hours a day, call TEARS at 010 590 5920 for assistance.