LIMPOPO- The Limpopo police have arrested an 18-year-old male for the murder of his five-month-old son at Jimmy Jones Village near Malamulele last night (October 7).

The suspect was arrested at around 22:00, following an intensive investigation by local detectives.

According to the Limpopo police spokesperson, Col Malesela Ledwaba, the infant’s mother went to the Malamulele Police Station to report a case of domestic violence after she was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend, who is also the father of the child.

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“While lodging the complaint, she told officers that the suspect had also assaulted their baby multiple times. Fearing for her safety, she fled the home, leaving the infant behind. Police accompanied her to the house, where they made a gruesome discovery of the lifeless body of the baby lying on the floor,” his statement read.

Ledwaba said the child had visible injuries to the head and face, indicating that he had been severely assaulted.

The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe strongly condemned the brutal killing, describing it as “a heartbreaking act of violence that no child should ever endure.”

“The pain of losing a child in such a horrific manner is unimaginable. We commend our detectives for their swift and dedicated efforts in ensuring that the perpetrator was arrested within hours,” she said.

The suspect will face a charge of murder when he appears before the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (October 9).