Madombidzha mother stabbed defending her children
Eva Ranthangwe (33) was fatally stabbed while protecting her children, with the suspect in custody and the case is ongoing.
LIMPOPO – A 33-year-old mother from Madombidzha, Eva Ranthangwe, was fatally stabbed on January 4 while defending her children from an attacker. She succumbed to her injuries after two days in Tshilidzini Hospital.
According to a police report, the suspect, Calvin Mukwevho (23), entered Ranthangwe’s yard and assaulted her children. In an attempt to protect them, she intervened, but the man stabbed her in the stomach. She was rushed to Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Tshilidzini Hospital, where she died on January 7.
The family, describing their loss, said Ranthangwe was a breadwinner and a devoted mother of five. “We are devastated. This was completely unexpected,” said family spokesperson Shonisani Mathukha.
The suspect, who reportedly has a history of mental instability, remains in custody following his January 7 court appearance in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court. The initial charge of attempted murder has since been changed to murder. Police investigations are ongoing, and the case has been postponed to January 14.
The family has in the meantime criticised authorities for their handling of the suspect’s mental health issues, believing the tragedy could have been prevented with earlier intervention.
Ranthangwe’s funeral was held in Madombidzha on Sunday.
