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Spate of stabbings: Lim provincial commissioner wants answers

Limpopo provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe orders immediate and thorough investigations into the spate of stabbings.

POLOKWANE – The spate of stabbings that resulted in murders recorded in the province on Saturday alone, including in Mankweng and Seshego, led to an urgent investigation launched by the provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe.

In Ext 71 in Seshego, a 22-year-old man was charged with murder after his father (54) was stabbed with a knife at their home in the early hours of Saturday.

The police confirmed that a heated argument ensued between the men, which resulted in the stabbing.

In Mankweng, the decomposed body of an 81-year-old woman was discovered at her home in Ga-Molepo, Boshega village. The matter was reported on Saturday. Showing signs of a stabbing, the victim’s body was found in a pool of blood after she was apparently last seen a day before, the police confirmed. These are just two examples of local crimes.

Elsewhere in Vhembe, police responded to the scene of a murder where a 44-year-old man was stabbed to death by unknown assailants on his way home in the early hours of Saturday.

In Mopani, the lifeless body of a 20-year-old man was found on the road. He too, had been stabbed.

Based on recent crime statistics released on Friday, knives and sharp instruments account for the second most used weapons to commit murders in Limpopo between October and December 2023.

Causative factors for the 48 cases recorded include misunderstandings, provocations, disagreements and road rage.

Hadebe said the police had taken note of the “heinous acts of violence and we have directed the best detectives and specialised units to prioritise these cases and use all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly”.

Oageng Makhura, a mentor at the Limpopo Anti-Drugs Gangsterism and Crime rehabilitation centre based in Seshego, said government’s inability to break up drug syndicates and poor education around citizens for example, drinking responsibly, contribute to the problem.

“Once they have over-indulged, it is not easy to be in control of their thoughts, emotions or actions.”

He spoke in reference to the two stabbing incidents, where it is suspected that the use ofliquor or drugs played a part.

“We don’t see causative factors such as uncontrollable fights and provocations from sober people leading to murders. People should learn to enjoy themselves in moderation. When you start feeling dizzy, stop and drink water. Engage within the prescripts of the law.”

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