LIMPOPO – A 29-year-old woman, Ntwanano Baloyi, from Tsakani informal settlement (Matshama-hi-nkanu) in Giyani, was recently stabbed to death mere metres away from her shack while walking home with her one-year old child.
According to Fanuel Mndlovu, a ward committee member and resident from the area, the woman was returning home from a nearby tuckshop, accompanied by a 40-year-old man, when the incident happened.
The suspect stabbed both the woman and her companion, but the man survived and was taken to Nkhensani Hospital where he was admitted with multiple injuries.
According to Mndlovu, the attacker fled before the community could catch up with him.
“The suspect, who is a foreign national, is a known resident in the area. It is not clear though whether he is from Mozambique or Zimbabwe,” said Mndlovu.
Meanwhile Benet Zitha, a Mozambican national who also resides at the informal settlement, said it was regrettable that such an act was committed by a foreign national.
“It taints the image of all foreigners. We came here to work so we could rid ourselves of poverty, not to kill anyone. This incident and many similar ones create enmity between us and the locals,” he said.
Speaking while at the shack of the victim, the Mayor of Giyani, Basani Shibambu expressed her shock, saying it was unspeakable for anyone to have done that to a woman in front of her child.
“While we understand the police have launched a manhunt, we as the municipality won’t fold our hands when something like this happens in our communities,” she said.
The mayor committed to, on behalf of the family, assist with the funeral.
Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, the Spokesperson for the police in the province, confirmed that they are looking for the suspect.
“The police in Giyani have opened cases of murder and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.
The suspect is at large at the moment and the manhunt continues along with the police investigations,” he said.
