POLOKWANE – A 50-year-old man, wanted for the murder of his wife in Sengatane, turned himself in to the police on Saturday.

The incident, which occurred during a heated argument last Wednesday, had prompted Seshego police to launch a massive manhunt.

According to Col Malesela Ledwaba of the Limpopo police, the accused is thought to have stabbed his 49-year-old wife with a sharp object in the upper body before fleeing the scene.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene when police and emergency medical services arrived at their home along the Matlala Road towards Polokwane.

Ledwaba confirmed that the suspect is now in custody, having handed himself over on Saturday evening.

Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, provincial police commissioner, welcomed the arrest and urged community members to actively participate in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

“Women and children continue to be victimised by those who should protect them. No one must turn a blind eye,” she stated.

In a related effort to combat GBVF, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed into law the National Council on GBVF, which aims to coordinate and provide strategic leadership in this fight.

The council, established as a resolution from the first Presidential Summit on GBVF in 2018, involves various stakeholders, including civil society, labour and business sectors.

Ramaphosa highlighted the progress made since the first summit, including the development of a National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF and the founding of the Women’s Economic Assembly.

This assembly aims to integrate women-owned enterprises into industry value chains, promote sustainable economic development, and economically empower women.

Approximately R21b has been allocated over the medium term to implement the six pillars of the NSP, including women’s economic empowerment.

The case continues to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures and community involvement in addressing gender-based violence in South Africa.