Mankweng, Limpopo – A 48-year-old man is due to appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of murder following the horrific stabbing of his 14-year-old stepdaughter in Ga-Thoka village, outside Mankweng. The incident occurred around 6 am on Friday.
According to police reports, the young victim was walking to school with a fellow learner when she was ambushed by her stepfather. Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, stated that the man "approached, attacked, and stabbed her several times with a sharp object and left her helplessly on the road."
The police were immediately alerted to the attack. Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the teenager lying in a pool of blood, still clad in her school uniform. Emergency medical personnel were summoned, but tragically, the young girl was declared dead at the scene.
"The emergency medical service personnel, upon their arrival, certified the 14-year-old dead,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
Following the gruesome discovery, police launched an immediate search operation for the suspect. He was swiftly located and apprehended in Polokwane.
"The police nabbed the suspect in Polokwane. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had a domestic dispute with the deceased's mother the previous night,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
It is understood that the suspect had been involved in a domestic dispute with the deceased’s mother the night before the brutal attack. While the exact nature of the dispute remains under investigation, police are treating it as a key factor in understanding the motive behind the murder.
Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a "domestic violence-related and gender-based violence incident."
This tragic event underscores the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence in South Africa and highlights the vulnerability of children within domestic disputes. The murder of the 14-year-old girl is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the urgent need for intervention and support for victims.
The suspect is expected to face a formal bail application during his court appearance on Monday. The state is likely to oppose bail, given the severity of the crime and the potential risk to the community.
The investigation into the murder is ongoing, and police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward and assist with their inquiries.
The community of Ga-Thoka village is reeling from the shock of this senseless act of violence. Local community leaders have expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased and have pledged to work with the police and other stakeholders to address the root causes of domestic violence in the area.
This is not an isolated incident. Last year, IOL reported on a similar case in Rustenburg, where a 37-year-old man appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of his 13-year-old stepson.
In that case, police were called to a scene at Oos einde in Rustenburg by a neighbour, where they found 13-year-old Olebogeng Molebangwe dead inside the house.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to combat domestic violence and protect vulnerable children. This includes strengthening law enforcement, providing support and counselling services for victims, and addressing the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to violence.
The upcoming court appearance of the suspect in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court is expected to draw significant public attention, with community members and advocacy groups planning to stage a protest outside the court to demand justice for the young victim and an end to gender-based violence.
