In what appears to be yet another case of domestic violence, a woman from Pfananani died after she was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend.
The victim was 27-year-old Takalani Mashau. Her lifeless body was discovered on Thursday (5 October) by a neighbour, who went to her house to investigate, since he had heard the couple fighting the previous day.
Police spokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the incident and said they had opened a case of murder. According Ledwaba, the suspect, Lufuluvhi Munene (30), had allegedly had an argument with Mashau, which had led to a fight and ended in Munene's stabbing Mashau in the head, resulting in her death. "We were alerted by members of the community about the incident, and when we arrived at the scene, Mashau was lying dead on the floor. We have managed to arrest the suspect and our investigations are continuing," he said.
Ledwaba urged couples to consult with or engage third parties, such as elders and counsellors, when they are experiencing problems in their relationships to avoid these kinds of incidents.
The deceased woman's brother, Mr Wisani Mashau, said the family was deeply saddened by her death. According to him, Mashau and Munene had been in a toxic relationship for years and shared an eight-year-old daughter. "Those two were always fighting. My sister wanted to break off the relationship many times, but he did not want that," he said.
Mr Itani Nenguda, the chairperson of the Real Men Foundation, condemned these acts against women. "Real men do not kill or rape their women but give comfort and security to them. Let us all shout out in one voice against the abuse and cruelty perpetrated against our womenfolk, and this country will be a better place to live in," he said.
Munene briefly appeared in the Tshitale Magistrate's Court on Monday, 9 October. The case was postponed to 17 October for a bail application.
Mashau will be laid to rest at the Pfananani local cemetery in the village on Saturday, 14 October.