POLOKWANE – Police have concluded a manhunt for Dennis Hlako-Mabetwa, who was wanted in connection with a series of violent attacks, including the assault of a woman in Mookgophong and the alleged strangling of his partner, a 26-year-old student from the local TVET College, in Seshego on January 26.

Police were called to a residence in Zone 3, Seshego, where they discovered the body of the woman in her rented room. Preliminary investigations indicated that she had been strangled by Hlako-Mabetwa, who fled the scene.

Further enquiries showed that the suspect was also wanted for an attempted murder in Mookgophong, where he is said to have assaulted another woman with a sharp object before proceeding to Seshego.

While the motive for the killing remains unknown, domestic violence cannot be ruled out.

Also read: Manhunt for suspect after assault and murder in Seshego

The provincial tracking team, which had taken over both cases, confirmed that Hlako-Mabetwa, who had been on the run, was found dead at his home in Mookgophong on Friday afternoon.

Emergency medical services declared him dead at the scene, and authorities believe he committed suicide.

The attempted murder and murder cases will now be handled according to standard police procedures, including an inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding Hlako-Mabetwa’s death.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemned the ongoing brutality of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and urged communities to assist the police by providing information that could prevent similar incidents.