Pick-axe murder accused dies in hospital

Police confirmed the man has succumbed to his injuries, Pretoria Rekord reports.

On Sunday, community members in Mogogelo, Hammanskraal allegedly assaulted the man who was accused of bashing his wife to death.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said the woman’s son was rushed to hospital after being rescued by a neighbour. According to the woman’s brother, Robert Mokwena, the blood-covered pick-axe was found near the woman’s body.

“While I did not see the body of my sister, I saw the pick-axe that I suspect was used to murder her. It was covered with blood so you can see that it was used to bash her.

“The boy, who was bleeding from the mouth and nose, was found lying in the street near his home by a community member.”

Mokwena said his 16-year-old nephew managed to flee the attack and run to his other uncles for help.

“I was called by a neighbour who told me to rush to the house, but my sister had already succumbed to her injuries.

“This has hit us hard as a family because it was so unexpected.”

A group of community members at the scene said they were shocked by what the man had allegedly done.

“It is very shocking that a man can kill a woman like this. We are still in women’s month and something like this happens.

“This month should be about celebrating them. Our women and children are not safe in their own homes.”

The community members said the suspect was lucky to have been rescued by police. They claimed that the suspect was fighting with them as they tried to calm him down.

“People were trying to calm him down, but he did not want to listen. That is when they started assaulting him. He was lucky that police arrived at the time, as the community was going to finish him off.”

ORIGINAL COVERAGE: Pretoria mom killed in pick-axe attack, son (3) seriously injured